I was reading an article and ran across this verse,
1 Peter 3:13-14
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
This verse comes from Isaiah 8, where it is speaking about the people of Samaria and Damascus who will be devastated and carried away by the Assyrians because of their rejection of the Lord. These people are the 'theys' - A destructive and abandoned generation of God rejecters, a stubborn people who put their trust in oppression and guile, a nation that will rot and be blown away, and a people who will be devoured by the sword. These people are the 'theys'
The part of that verse that really stood out to me was, 'do not fear what they fear'. In thinking through this I was convicted that I do fear what they fear. I fear the unknown, I fear the future, I fear loneliness and rejection, oppression and suffering. 'Do not fear what they fear'. I fear challenges and road blocks, sickness and insecurity. 'Do not fear what they fear'.
These people feared, and rightly so. But what do I have to fear? Why Am I anxious? Who is going to harm me if I am eager to do what is good? If The LORD is my light and my salvation; then who Am I afraid of? If God has not given me a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline, what Am I fearful of? If God has said I will never leave you nor forsake you, then what can man do to me?
So the conclusion has to be that even though I may feel hard pressed on every side, I am not crushed. Though I may feel perplexed I should not be in despair. Though I may feel persecuted I am not abandoned. Though I may feel struck down, I am not destroyed. And why?
Because unlike the 'theys' I carry around in my body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed through me. For I am always being given over to 'death' for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in me.
Because fear has to do with punishment, and Christ took my punishment - I have nothing to fear.
The promise is mine which was made to Moses, "Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you".
