Fearless Faith

Fearless Faith (Psalm 27:1-3)

Psalm 27:1-3, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine 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 war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”

A minister was driving with his wife and they stopped in a small Iranian village to purchase some water. Before entering, the minister noticed a man holding a machine gun and leaning against the wall outside the store.

The minister's wife looked at the man's face and the gun, then put a Bible in her husband's hand and said, "Give that man this Bible." Her husband looked at the man—his menacing beard and his machine gun—and replied, "I don't think so." But she persisted: "I'm serious. Give it to him. Please, give him the Bible."

Trying to avoid the issue, the husband said, "Okay, I'll pray about it." He went into the shop, purchased the water, climbed back into the car, and started to drive away. His wife looked at him and said, "I guess you didn't give him the Bible, did you?" Looking straight ahead, he replied, "No, I prayed about it and it wasn't the right thing to do." She quietly said, "You should have given him the Bible," and then she bowed her head and started praying. At that point, he turned around and told his wife, "Fine! If you want me to die, I will."

When the minister returned to the store, the man with the machine gun was still standing against the wall. The minister approached him and placed the Bible in his hand. When the man opened it and saw it was a Bible, he started to cry. It turned out that the man did not live in the village. He was told by a stranger to walk to the village and to wait for someone to give him the Book of Life.

After walking three days to the village, this soul-searching man was waiting for someone to approach him. He was thrilled when the pastor spoke to him and thanked the pastor for the Bible. The pastor became a courageous witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Eventually, along with many other co-workers in the Iranian church, he was martyred for his faith in Christ. His testimony shined for the Lord.

Since God was his light, his salvation, and his strength, and since God had never failed him in times past, David would not fear though an army came against him in war. God gives peace in time of provocation. He gives confidence for victory in spite of the great opposition that is against us. When the Lord is your strength, salvation, and safety, one can have a confidence that drives away all fear, in spite of the enemy. God was David's stronghold, fortress, or castle. The word "confident" describes a bold, secure, carefree confidence. God gives us a calm when there is calamity and confusion all around us. Our confidence in the Lord helps us to deal with our fears. God can provide strength to overcome our enemies. He also provides the strength needed to serve Him. God gives safety to His own. In this case safety was provided by rendering the enemy powerless and unable to attack and conquer.

There is no need for us ever to be overcome by fear because the Lord is our light, our salvation, and our defense. Our security and confidence are in Him. Anxiety usually comes with the fear of the unknown and of what might happen; it is obscure and cloaked in darkness, but the light of God's truth delivers us. Though critics attack us when we have to stand against public opinion, and circumstances overwhelm us like a "host encamped against us," there is no need to fear, for our confidence is in the Lord. May we lose our fear of what man might do to us. II Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” May the Lord help us to not be afraid to stand up for Him and share the message of God's Word with others. Be ready the next time He calls on you to witness for Him.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you made the Lord your strength?
• Are you facing intimidating circumstances or people in your life?
• Do you give your burdens, worries, and cares to Him?

Points to Ponder:

• The Lord gives us strength to face tough challenges of life every day.
• When we make the Lord our Savior and our strength, we can live and walk more consistently.
• Put your confidence in God! Ground your life, beliefs, and philosophy in life on the Word of God.

Prayer: LORD, open a door for me today and give me the courage that I might have an opportunity to share Your glorious Gospel with someone today who is in deep need of You. Help give me understanding that would enable me to speak the words that You would have them to hear. Help me to be a bold, and yet compassionate, witness without compromise for You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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