I want to share with you a journal I’m making about fear in the Bible. I’ve heard that there are 365 ‘do not fear’ verses in the Bible, one for each day of the year. And since fearing people instead of fearing God is a big struggle for me, I decided to look into this. The more I looked – and was encouraged and challenged – the more I realized I had to share this with others.
Day 35– Fearing Leads To Serving
Joshua 24:14 “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.”
Story: I’ve often seen a verse from Joshua 24 around various homes, something along the lines of ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.’ The reason Joshua makes that resolve for himself and his family in verse 15 is because of his fear of the LORD in verse 14. Joshua says these words to Israel at the end of the book of Joshua and at the end of his life. Think of all that Joshua has been through: born in slavery into Egypt; passed through the Red Sea; experienced God’s presence and Law at Mount Sinai; led Israel in conquering the Promised Land. So, when it’s all considered, fear the LORD; resolve to serve Him all the days of your life.
From Joshua, we learn that fearing the LORD is not just something we can fake. It’s not a Sunday-only allegiance. It is a service for Him that is done in sincerity and truth. Fearing the LORD leads to the action of serving the LORD.
My Prayer Response: Father, You alone are to have my worship and allegiance. I live today, not to serve myself and what I would like, but to serve You. Give me an undivided heart, that I would fear and serve You in sincerity and truth today. Help me to lead my family to serve You with their whole hearts.
May you and your family fear and serve the LORD today!
Day 36– Peace To You
Judges 6:23 The Lord said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.”
Story: In Judges 6:12, the angel of the LORD visits Gideon and begins a conversation with him. The point of this is that Gideon is appointed by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. It’s not until verse 22 that Gideon realizes he’s been in the presence of the LORD and so fears that he will die! But even while Gideon is slow to understand, the LORD is patient, and His first words are giving of His peace.
My Prayer Response: Father, Your peace is beyond our comprehension. The peace of Jesus is better than anything of this world. We need this peace, Your peace! If we have Your peace, how can we fear death? Or any enemy? Or any challenging situation? Please, grant to us this peace today. Help us to seek Your peace, even when afraid.
May the LORD give you His peace today!
Day 37– Only fear the LORD
1 Samuel 12:14, 18, 20, 24 “If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. 18 So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. 20 Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 24 “Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
Story: This is Samuel’s goodbye speech to Israel, since they are wanting a king to lead them instead of Samuel. So like Moses and Joshua spoke to Israel, so also Samuel implores Israel to fear the LORD and obey Him. But one thing is added to Samuel’s speech, and that’s the display of God’s power through thunder and rain. Instantly, the people of Israel fear the LORD, and recognize their sin before God. And yet, in response to this fear of the LORD by Israel, Samuel says ‘do not fear. … Only fear the LORD.’
My Prayer Response: Father, what great things have You done for me? You saved me. You placed me in my family and my church. You have called me to serve You. You’ve used me in conversations and writings and times of prayer beyond what I’ve asked or thought. Let me not forget Your benefits, especially the greatness of Your salvation. Thus will I only fear You!
May you only fear the LORD today, considering what great things He has done for you!
Day 38– Encouraged By God’s Promises
1 Samuel 23:16-17 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”
Story: Though David has been anointed as king by God, he is running for his life from the current king, Saul. Jonathan, son of Saul and typically next in line for the throne, meets privately with David to encourage him in God. That encouragement is: do not be afraid, for the God who anointed you king will make it happen in His way and time. I love the humility of Jonathan, plus his faithfulness to God.
My Prayer Response: Father, You always fulfill Your promises. So, that should give me a confidence to not be afraid. I may be wrong on some of the details, even as Jonathan wasn’t able to be next to David when king. I am grateful that You are never wrong, and that Your timing is always perfect. Use me to encourage someone in You, Your promises, and Your timing.
May you be encouraged in your God today!
Day 39– Answered Prayers
1 Kings 8:40, 43 [Solomon prays] “… that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You have given to our fathers. … hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.”
Story: Solomon dedicates the new temple to God with a prayer that about the purpose of this building. It’s all about directing the attention and hearts of people towards God! Both of these verses are about God answering prayer, first for the Israelite (v. 40) and second for the foreigner (v. 43). The result of God answering these prayers – often from difficult situations – is to fear the LORD.
My Prayer Response: Father, I’ve never considered this! You will put me and others in difficult situations so that we call on You for help. And when You answer, we grow in the fear of You! I learn more Your character as good, faithful, loving, wise, and patient. To know You better is to fear You!
May the LORD answer your prayer today!