Psalm 103
6The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
What can man do to you?
Fear is a funny thing. It can heighten our senses, cause us to doubt things we know to be true, convince us to make a decision (right or wrong) or taint the way we view a circumstance. For example, how different are your actions immediately after watching a scary movie or TV show? Most of us (whether we admit it or not), will look twice before entering a dark hallway or make sure the doors are locked before we settle in for bed.
This verse tells us how to eliminate fear: God being with us. The question then is how can we get God to be for us.
That is a problem because we cannot coax, cajole or convince God to be for us. We must simply trust Him and take Him at His Word that if we accept His son as our sacrifice, we are with Him. God is never one to change sides. Humans on the other hand must be changed from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Light. So when the Lord is for me, we should not fear.
What should we not fear?
1. Eternal punishment (Romans 8:1).
2. Earthly circumstances (James 1:2-3).
3. Losing Worldly popularity (John 15:18-19)
God has placed us in the palm of His hand and wrapped His fingers around us. We are His and have no need to fear these temporary things. We can fear when we have disobeyed and sinned against him.
Several Biblical principles come to mind:
“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). The person who fears is not perfected in love. How can you fear if you love God, the way He expects you to love Him?
“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing but the righteous are as bold as a Lion (Proverbs 28:1). Fleeing is caused by fear. Who has the fear? The wicked!
So what can man do to YOU? They can DO many things to your physical body, to your sense of self. Sticks and stones can breaks bones and words hurt our sense of who we are if who we think we are is not grounded in the reality of who God says we are.
But more important than all of that man cannot DO anything to your immortal soul. Man cannot change your standing before God or determine your eternal destiny. Man cannot by their hatred of all things God keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life or from walking in obedience.
Why? Because God is with the believer, empowering, energizing, working for and teaching him to follow the sound of His voice.
Man can do nothing that God does not ordain to be done.
So what have you to fear…..if of course God is for you?
6The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
What can man do to you?
Fear is a funny thing. It can heighten our senses, cause us to doubt things we know to be true, convince us to make a decision (right or wrong) or taint the way we view a circumstance. For example, how different are your actions immediately after watching a scary movie or TV show? Most of us (whether we admit it or not), will look twice before entering a dark hallway or make sure the doors are locked before we settle in for bed.
This verse tells us how to eliminate fear: God being with us. The question then is how can we get God to be for us.
That is a problem because we cannot coax, cajole or convince God to be for us. We must simply trust Him and take Him at His Word that if we accept His son as our sacrifice, we are with Him. God is never one to change sides. Humans on the other hand must be changed from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Light. So when the Lord is for me, we should not fear.
What should we not fear?
1. Eternal punishment (Romans 8:1).
2. Earthly circumstances (James 1:2-3).
3. Losing Worldly popularity (John 15:18-19)
God has placed us in the palm of His hand and wrapped His fingers around us. We are His and have no need to fear these temporary things. We can fear when we have disobeyed and sinned against him.
Several Biblical principles come to mind:
“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). The person who fears is not perfected in love. How can you fear if you love God, the way He expects you to love Him?
“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing but the righteous are as bold as a Lion (Proverbs 28:1). Fleeing is caused by fear. Who has the fear? The wicked!
So what can man do to YOU? They can DO many things to your physical body, to your sense of self. Sticks and stones can breaks bones and words hurt our sense of who we are if who we think we are is not grounded in the reality of who God says we are.
But more important than all of that man cannot DO anything to your immortal soul. Man cannot change your standing before God or determine your eternal destiny. Man cannot by their hatred of all things God keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life or from walking in obedience.
Why? Because God is with the believer, empowering, energizing, working for and teaching him to follow the sound of His voice.
Man can do nothing that God does not ordain to be done.
So what have you to fear…..if of course God is for you?
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