Fear Not!!!
The Bible tells us over and over “fear not”, more than 300 times. Isaiah 40:10-13
tells us why; it says “fear you not, for I am with you, be not dismayed; for I am your
God, I will strengthen you, yea, I will help you, yea, I will uphold you with the right
hand of My righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against you shall be
ashamed, and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with you
shall perish. You shall seek them, and shall not find them, even them that contended
with you, they that war against you shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught.
For I the Lord Yahweh your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, fear not, I
will help you”.
Now because the Bible says “fear the Lord Yahweh” and “the fear of the Lord
Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7) as well as “the fear of the
Lord Yahweh is beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). The English word fear may
be directed toward God or humankind, and it may be either healthy or harmful. A
healthy fear is described as reverence or respect; a harmful fear is a sense of terror
or dread. In the Hebrew language there are 12 different words that describe fear,
and in the Greek language there are 6 different words for fear. The Bible does tell
us to “study to show your self approved to God, a workman that needs not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).
The translators did a good job translating from the Hebrew and Greek, but because
in the English language there was only one word for fear, they translated it the only
way they could. I went through my Bible and looked up the Hebrew and or Greek
word for fear and wrote in my Bible, what was reverence, awe and respect; a healthy
(fear) apart from what was dread, fright, horror, terror, afraid; a harmful (fear). As I
am reading “the fear of the Lord Yahweh” I say it as “the reverence of the Lord
Yahweh”; bringing the context to its Hebrew or Greek meaning. There are other
words that can leave people confused in the way it is used; I consider this rightly
dividing the word.
People are trying to fear God in the wrong way, being afraid of God, it makes it hard
to love, reverence and respect the one that you are afraid of; but the Bible says that
“God is good to all”.
In the Psalms David wrote (Psalms 27:1-5) “the Lord Yahweh is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord Yahweh is the strength of my life, of whom
shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to
eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear; though was should rise against me in this will I be confident.
One thing have I desired of the Lord Yahweh, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in
the house of the Lord Yahweh all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
Lord Yahweh, and to enquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide
me in His pavilion, in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me
up upon a rock”. In Psalms 46:1-5 says “God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the selling thereof.
Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the
holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall
not be moved. God shall help her, and that right early”.
The same thing that God said to Joshua, applies to us even today (Joshua 1:7-9)
“only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to
all the law, which Moses My servant commanded you; turn not from it to the right
hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law shall
not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night that you
may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make our
way prosperous and then you shall have good success. Have not I commanded
you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed; for
the Lord Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go”. God gives us a dream, a
vision and it seems impossible in the natural, but we are told to “trust in the Lord
Yahweh with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
When the devil knows that you have a dream or vision from God, he tries to make
you afraid that you won’t be able to fulfill it, bringing up your past mistakes to
discourage you. Don’t fall for the trick of the devil, seek the Lord for direction and
fear not, remember that the Bible says that Jesus is the author and finisher of our
faith. Our part is to be of good courage and trust in the Lord. The devil will try to get
you to be offended and fall into un-forgiveness. Ephesians 6:11-18 warns to “put on
the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places” verse 11-12 and then told to put on the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore. The
armor is listed as truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and
the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
James 1:2-5 says “my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her
perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it
shall be given him”. Habakkuk 2:2-3 the Lord Yahweh says “write the vision, and
make it plain upon tables, that he may run that read it. for the vision is yet for an
appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it,
because it will surely come, it will not tarry”. Galatians 6:9 says “and let us not be
weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. That sounds like
“it shall come to pass”.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: May 16, 2008
The Bible tells us over and over “fear not”, more than 300 times. Isaiah 40:10-13
tells us why; it says “fear you not, for I am with you, be not dismayed; for I am your
God, I will strengthen you, yea, I will help you, yea, I will uphold you with the right
hand of My righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against you shall be
ashamed, and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with you
shall perish. You shall seek them, and shall not find them, even them that contended
with you, they that war against you shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught.
For I the Lord Yahweh your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, fear not, I
will help you”.
Now because the Bible says “fear the Lord Yahweh” and “the fear of the Lord
Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7) as well as “the fear of the
Lord Yahweh is beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). The English word fear may
be directed toward God or humankind, and it may be either healthy or harmful. A
healthy fear is described as reverence or respect; a harmful fear is a sense of terror
or dread. In the Hebrew language there are 12 different words that describe fear,
and in the Greek language there are 6 different words for fear. The Bible does tell
us to “study to show your self approved to God, a workman that needs not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).
The translators did a good job translating from the Hebrew and Greek, but because
in the English language there was only one word for fear, they translated it the only
way they could. I went through my Bible and looked up the Hebrew and or Greek
word for fear and wrote in my Bible, what was reverence, awe and respect; a healthy
(fear) apart from what was dread, fright, horror, terror, afraid; a harmful (fear). As I
am reading “the fear of the Lord Yahweh” I say it as “the reverence of the Lord
Yahweh”; bringing the context to its Hebrew or Greek meaning. There are other
words that can leave people confused in the way it is used; I consider this rightly
dividing the word.
People are trying to fear God in the wrong way, being afraid of God, it makes it hard
to love, reverence and respect the one that you are afraid of; but the Bible says that
“God is good to all”.
In the Psalms David wrote (Psalms 27:1-5) “the Lord Yahweh is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord Yahweh is the strength of my life, of whom
shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to
eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear; though was should rise against me in this will I be confident.
One thing have I desired of the Lord Yahweh, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in
the house of the Lord Yahweh all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
Lord Yahweh, and to enquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide
me in His pavilion, in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me
up upon a rock”. In Psalms 46:1-5 says “God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the selling thereof.
Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the
holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall
not be moved. God shall help her, and that right early”.
The same thing that God said to Joshua, applies to us even today (Joshua 1:7-9)
“only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to
all the law, which Moses My servant commanded you; turn not from it to the right
hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law shall
not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night that you
may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make our
way prosperous and then you shall have good success. Have not I commanded
you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed; for
the Lord Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go”. God gives us a dream, a
vision and it seems impossible in the natural, but we are told to “trust in the Lord
Yahweh with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
When the devil knows that you have a dream or vision from God, he tries to make
you afraid that you won’t be able to fulfill it, bringing up your past mistakes to
discourage you. Don’t fall for the trick of the devil, seek the Lord for direction and
fear not, remember that the Bible says that Jesus is the author and finisher of our
faith. Our part is to be of good courage and trust in the Lord. The devil will try to get
you to be offended and fall into un-forgiveness. Ephesians 6:11-18 warns to “put on
the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places” verse 11-12 and then told to put on the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore. The
armor is listed as truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and
the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
James 1:2-5 says “my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her
perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it
shall be given him”. Habakkuk 2:2-3 the Lord Yahweh says “write the vision, and
make it plain upon tables, that he may run that read it. for the vision is yet for an
appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it,
because it will surely come, it will not tarry”. Galatians 6:9 says “and let us not be
weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. That sounds like
“it shall come to pass”.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: May 16, 2008
