Grasping the Promise

I find no place in the Bible where it says we will not be afraid. In fact, God’s Word puts fear as a given. It’s in our human DNA. Fight/flight is our nature’s response to fright.

When in fear for his life, David said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust Thee” (Psalm 56:3). Fearful Bible heroes, from Abraham to Jehoshaphat to Daniel, were bolstered and encouraged by the assurance that God was with them and would deliver them. Thus, fear is common to the human race. The issue then is when fear strikes, what is our response?

Psychologists named the fight or flight response early on, recognizing that humankind becomes paralyzed by fear if they don’t respond in some way. Aggressors, including nations, bullies, and other manipulators, take advantage of fear’s paralysis to further their evil intents. Once the paralysis of fear takes over, the fearful are already defeated.

David’s verse admits the fear but also provides the proper response. “I will trust Thee.” Please understand that when we place our total trust in God and His promises, we are not engaging in the human side of fight/flight. Instead, we are conquering our human fear by supernatural means. In other words, our battle is simply focusing our trust. Not in the arm of flesh, not in our own strength, but “I will trust Thee.”

In II Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was faced with a formidable adversary. Vastly outnumbered, with his people quaking in fear, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord, “We have no might and we don’t know what to do. Our eyes are on You.” (See verse 12.)

God’s response? “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude: for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (verse 15). In verse 17 God says, “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” And it was so!

God’s promises are always “yea and amen” (yes and so be it) to those who latch on to (grasp) them. That’s the secret to overcoming fear. John said, “Perfect love casteth out fear” (I John 4:18).

A good portion of true love is trust, and it is one of the best ways to demonstrate our love.