Refuse To Fear
“Because God’s children are human beings, made of flesh and blood, the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” Hebrews 2:14-15
Fear can be a very powerful influence. It featured prominently in the lives of the children of Isreal as they left Egypt on their way to the promised land and their journey is similar to ours as we journey to our eternal home. Fear can be a terrible motivator and slave-master, and it often leads to sin. Yet, the Lord has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, of power, and a sound mind! [2 Timothy 1:7]
For the Israelites, the first test came when they feared death at the hands of Pharaoh and the Egyptians [Exodus 14:9-14] The Lord heard their cry, opened the Red Sea and made a way of escape. Nevertheless, time and again they still became fearful of death, and this is why they failed miserably in the wilderness.
The bondage to the fear of death can be broken. Jesus has said that He holds the keys of hell and death. [Rev. 1:18] Because He Himself was resurrected from the dead, in Him we are no longer in bondage to this fear.
If the Egyptian Pharaoh is a type of the antichrist spoken of in Revelation, then we also find there examples of those who are overcomers in Joshua and Caleb.
The word for is Revelation 12:11 “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” The martyrs throughout all of history testify to this faith in the Resurrection.
The fear of death must not have its hold upon us. Identifying with Jesus in His death will enable us to live a fear-free life, for there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. [1 John 4:18] Life enters a realm of freedom with this realization: “If you’re willing to die for Jesus, then it becomes easy to live for Him!” So instead of wandering fearfully in the wilderness, make it your place of victory over every fear.