20150914 FEAR VS FAITH

FEAR VS FAITH

Matthew 8:18 When Jesus saw the crowd around Him, He instructed His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

Matthew 8:23-27 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with His disciples.  (24)  Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  (25)  The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"  (26)  Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.  (27)  The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey Him!"

Jesus pulls together the contrast between fear and faith. They are opposites.

A friend of mine once pointed out verse 18 to me. He said, “Jesus didn’t instruct the disciples to go half way across the lake and drown. He instructed them to go to the other side.”

Understand that this is Jesus, the living Word of God. Read John 1:1-3. Another friend pointed out to me the reason God can’t lie is because whatever God says happens. That is the truth that we need deep inside of our minds and hearts in order to combat fear. That truth is that God, who does not lie can be trusted completely to perform what He promises to perform.

Of what are you afraid? Be honest with yourself and with God. When you have isolated what you fear look in the scriptures for promises that deal with your fears. For the believer the worst case scenario takes us to a place where we must trust our God moment by moment for strength to endure. That is not a bad place to be because He who promised is faithful and He will never leave us and never forsake us.

Father in heaven, increase our faith. Remind us, You have not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love and of power and of a sound mind. (2Timothy 1:7) Thank You that You are faithful and that we can trust You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!