In our area, and I presume across the nation, during the shutdowns resulting from the Covid pandemic, yard signs, “FAITH OVER FEAR,” began showing up (along with “BACK THE BLUE” when some cities and states were calling for defunding the police).  It was a period of uncertainty: would life ever return to “normal.”  Many were living in fear of the present and the future. But, the message of the signs encouraged us to overcome our fears with faith–faith in the sovereign God who is ultimately in control.  

     Fear can be a positive emotion, causing either flight or fight to protect us. But it can also be immobilizing, causing us to withdraw within ourselves, to succumb to peer pressure and to compromise our convictions to avoid trouble. The Scriptures (and history) are full of stories of those who practiced faith (in God) over fear of man and adverse circumstances.  

     When Joshua had the immense task of taking over for Moses and leading the hordes of Israelites into the Promised Land which was populated with people who wanted to kill them, God said to him: “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them…Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:5-9). Courage is not the absence of fear, but trusting God and moving forward inspite of fear. Courage is “faith over fear.” Remember, Joshua and Caleb were the two who had gone in to spy out the land and who encouraged Israel to trust God and not fear the people of the land. Joshua said, “Do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them” (Num. 14:9). 

     David, the youngest son of Jesse, when no one in Israel’s army was willing to take on Goliath,  the Philistine giant who was taunting Israel and her God, took his sling and five stones (in case he had to also take on Goliath’s four brothers!) and “said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted’ ” (I Sam. 17:45).  David put his faith in God over his fears of the giant and we all know how that story ended!

     Esther (Hadassah her Hebrew name), who had replaced Vashti as queen to King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia, was reared by her cousin Mordecai who discovered a plot by Hamaan and an edict by the king to destroy all the Jews. Mordecai challenged Esther (a Jew), saying: “…And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esth. 4:14b).  Esther, who hadn’t been called in to the king in some time, knew that to approach him uninvited could cost her life, but she put faith over fear and said, “I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Esth. 4:15b).  As a result the Jews were spared!

    King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon set up a 90-foot tall golden image which all were to fall down and worship or be cast into a fiery furnace (Dan. 3:5).  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, three young Hebrew men, refused to do so and were brought before the angry king (v. 13). They said to Nebuchadnezzar: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. but even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (vv. 17,18). Their faith overcame their fear. God chose to spare them and it was a great testimony to King Nebuchadnezzar of the reality of the God of the Hebrews (vv. 26-30).

     Later, after the Persians had conquered Babylon, King Darius was about to promote Daniel to a major role of leadership, but some who were jealous tried to get Daniel in trouble with the king. However, they couldn’t find any corruption or grounds of accusations against Daniel. But, they knew Daniel prayed faithfully to his God, so had the king make an edict that you could only make petition to the king and that anyone who violated that would be thrown to the lions (Dan. 6:5-9).  When Daniel heard about the official document, “he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying (by an open window) and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v. 10). Daniel exercised faith over fear. He ended up in the lions’ den, but God shut the mouths of the lions and spared him and as a result, Darius made a new decree: “…in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed…He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth…” (vv. 25-27). What was the key to Daniel’s courage? “He had trusted in his God” (v. 23b). He put his faith over his fears. 

     Peter and John, when warned to stop preaching about Jesus and the resurrection, replied: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-20). 

    All of these examples from  Scripture demonstrate the power of trusting God even in the face of opposition, adversity and persecution. They put their faith over their fears and courageously obeyed the God they served. They feared man so little because they feared (revered) God so much. Solomon wrote: “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted” (Pr. 29:25). David, who faced a lot of “giants” in his life, wrote: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?…I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears…When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid, what can mere man do to me” (Psa. 27:1; 34:4; 56:3,4). 

     So, no matter what or whom you are facing, put your trust in God and do the right thing. Exercise your faith over your fears, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (cowardice/fear) but of power and love and discipline” (II Tim. 1:7).  God loves you and “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” (I Jn. 4:18). 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N