Proverbs 10:24-25
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear. As believers, we have a hope and security that all things will work for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes. We have the unique ability to never let fear control us again because of the hope that has been placed within us. We empower that which we fear, and in turn our fears often become our realities. It is one of the most prevalent tactics of the enemy to disempower those who love God and those who don’t alike. But we never have to let this become our reality again.
In 1 Samuel 17, Goliath uses fear and intimidation to try to defeat the Israelites. Hoping that when someone finally steps up to the plate, that the insults hurled not only at the army, but at the God that Israel places their trust in will leave them paralyzed with fear. Questioning whether the God of angel armies was truly able to deliver them, and in-turn leaving them unable to fight back and making them an easy prey.
What if David listened to this fear? What if David never stepped up to the plate? What if he never had a revelation of perfect love that drove out every ounce of fear? Goliath may have never been defeated, placing the Israelites under Philistine rule and changing the course of history forever… But instead, David placed his hope in the Lord. And Love drove fear away, and into the enemy camp. Suddenly, the righteous were empowered, and the wicked were frozen in their tracks, unable to retaliate against the boldness that comes with knowing who stands at your back. The victories of the Godly become the enemy’s worst nightmare.
The fears of the wicked will become realized when the fears of the righteous are placed in the hands of God and exchanged for hope and love. When the storms of life come, the wicked become paralyzed by their own fears and doubt. But those who place their trust in God have a security that He will stay true to His word and turn what looks like our dark and scary roads into gold behind us.
Photography: @jacobnnorris