FEAR NOT

FEAR NOT

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Texts: Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:1-2

Key Verse: Joshua 1:9
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Supporting Texts: Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 46:1-2; Psalm 56:3-4; Deuteronomy 31:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5-6; Mark 4:39-40

Description: God commands His people not to fear because His presence, power and promises are greater than every challenge they may encounter.

INTRODUCTION

Fear is one of the greatest enemies of faith. It can make a person see the size of a problem but forget the greatness of God. Fear can discourage, paralyse and prevent people from taking steps into the opportunities and promises God has placed before them.

When God commissioned Joshua to lead Israel after the death of Moses, He knew that Joshua would face opposition, uncertainty and enormous responsibility. Yet God repeatedly told him to be strong and courageous. The command was not based on Joshua's ability alone but on the assurance that the Lord his God would be with him wherever he went.

Isaiah 41:10 gives another powerful assurance: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.” In Isaiah 43:1-2, God promised His people that when they passed through waters and rivers, He would be with them, and when they walked through fire, they would not be burned. Therefore, the believer's confidence is not that there will never be challenges, but that God will never abandon His people in the midst of them.

1. FEAR NOT BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU

The strongest reason God gives for rejecting fear is His presence. When God is with you, you are never alone in the battle.

a. God's Presence Gives Courage (Joshua 1:9) — Joshua was commanded to be strong because the Lord promised to be with him wherever he went.

b. God Will Never Abandon You (Deuteronomy 31:6) — God's people can face difficult circumstances with confidence because He will not leave or forsake them.

c. God's Presence Changes Your Perspective (Psalm 23:4) — Even in the valley of the shadow of death, David refused to fear because the Lord was with him.

d. God's Presence Is Greater Than Your Opposition (Psalm 118:6) — When the Lord is on your side, human opposition does not have the final authority over your life.

Biblical Example: David faced Goliath with courage because he understood that the battle was ultimately the Lord's and that God was with him (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

2. FEAR NOT BECAUSE GOD WILL STRENGTHEN YOU

There are moments when our human strength becomes insufficient. God does not merely tell us to be strong; He promises to strengthen us Himself.

a. God Is Your Strength (Isaiah 41:10) — God promises to strengthen, help and uphold His people with His righteous hand.

b. God Gives Strength To The Weak (Isaiah 40:29) — When human strength fails, God gives power to those who have no strength.

c. God's Grace Is Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) — God's grace enables believers to stand even when circumstances expose their weakness.

d. You Can Do What God Has Called You To Do (Philippians 4:13) — Through Christ, believers receive strength to fulfil the assignments God gives them.

Biblical Example: Elijah became physically and emotionally exhausted, but God strengthened him and gave him what he needed to continue his journey (1 Kings 19:5-8).

3. FEAR NOT BECAUSE GOD WILL HELP YOU

God does not expect His children to fight every battle by their own ability. He promises to be our Helper.

a. God Is Your Present Help (Psalm 46:1) — God is a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

b. God Will Hold You Up (Isaiah 41:10) — He promises to uphold His people with His righteous hand.

c. You Have A Divine Helper (Hebrews 13:6) — Because the Lord is our Helper, we do not need to live under the control of fear.

d. God Can Make A Way Where None Appears (Isaiah 43:19) — God is able to create new possibilities even when circumstances seem closed.

Biblical Example: When Israel was trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, God intervened and opened a way where there appeared to be no way (Exodus 14:13-22).

4. FEAR NOT BECAUSE GOD WILL GO BEFORE YOU

Fear often comes from uncertainty about what lies ahead. But God already knows tomorrow and is able to go before His people.

a. God Goes Before His People (Deuteronomy 31:8) — The Lord promised to go before Israel and not abandon them.

b. God Can Prepare The Way (Isaiah 45:2) — God is able to go before His people and deal with obstacles in their path.

c. You Do Not Need To Know Everything Before Moving Forward (Proverbs 3:5-6) — Trusting God means acknowledging Him even when the entire path is not yet visible.

d. God's Plans Are Greater Than Your Fears (Jeremiah 29:11) — God's purposes for His people provide a reason to trust Him rather than surrender to fear.

Biblical Example: God went before the children of Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, guiding them through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22).

5. FEAR NOT WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH WATERS

God never promised that His people would not pass through waters. He promised that the waters would not overwhelm them because He would be with them.

a. The Waters Will Not Overwhelm You (Isaiah 43:2) — God promises His presence and preservation when His people pass through deep waters.

b. Trials Do Not Mean God Has Abandoned You (Psalm 34:19) — The righteous may experience many afflictions, but the Lord delivers them from them all.

c. God Can Keep You In The Middle Of Trouble (Psalm 138:7) — God preserves His people even when they walk through the midst of trouble.

d. Your Trial Has A Limit (Isaiah 43:2) — The waters may rise, but they will not have permission to destroy what God has preserved.

Biblical Example: The disciples experienced a violent storm on the sea, but Jesus was with them and eventually commanded the storm to become still (Mark 4:35-41).

6. FEAR NOT WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH FIRE

Fire represents seasons of intense pressure, trials and opposition. God's promise is that the fire will not destroy those who trust in Him.

a. God Will Be With You In The Fire (Isaiah 43:2) — God's presence is promised even in the most difficult circumstances.

b. The Fire Will Not Consume You (Isaiah 43:2) — God has the power to preserve His people through severe trials.

c. Your Faith Can Survive The Trial (1 Peter 1:6-7) — Trials can test and refine faith without destroying it.

d. God Can Turn The Fire Into A Testimony (Daniel 3:24-27) — God was with the three Hebrew men in the fiery furnace and brought them out safely.

Biblical Example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's image and trusted God even when they were threatened with the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:16-18).

7. FEAR NOT BECAUSE GOD HAS REDEEMED YOU

Fear loses its authority when we remember who we belong to. God has called His people by name and declared that they are His.

a. You Belong To God (Isaiah 43:1) — God says, “Thou art mine,” giving His people security in their relationship with Him.

b. God Has Redeemed You (Isaiah 43:1) — The redeemed person can face the future with confidence because his life is in God's hands.

c. You Are Precious To God (Isaiah 43:4) — God's love and value for His people provide a strong foundation for confidence.

d. Your Identity Is Greater Than Your Circumstances (1 Peter 2:9) — Believers are God's chosen people, called to display His praises.

Biblical Example: Daniel continued to honour God even when his devotion placed him in danger, because his allegiance to God was greater than his fear of the king (Daniel 6:10-23).

8. FEAR NOT BECAUSE GOD HAS NOT GIVEN YOU THE SPIRIT OF FEAR

Fear does not have to control the believer. God has given His children spiritual resources to face life with courage, love and sound judgment.

a. God Has Given You Power (2 Timothy 1:7) — The Holy Spirit enables believers to walk in spiritual strength rather than fear.

b. God Has Given You Love (2 Timothy 1:7) — God's love produces confidence and helps us respond to challenges without being controlled by fear.

c. God Has Given You A Sound Mind (2 Timothy 1:7) — Believers can approach difficult situations with faith, wisdom and self-control.

d. Faith Must Speak Louder Than Fear (2 Corinthians 5:7) — We are called to walk by faith rather than by what we see.

Biblical Example: The apostles who once feared persecution later preached Christ boldly because they were empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:18-20, 31).

CONCLUSION

God's message to His people is clear: Fear not. Joshua was facing a new assignment, Israel was facing enemies, the disciples faced a storm, and the three Hebrew men faced a fiery furnace, yet God's presence remained greater than every challenge. Fear may announce danger, but faith remembers that God is greater.

Therefore, do not allow fear to stop your prayer, obedience, progress or pursuit of God's purpose. When you pass through waters, He will be with you. When you walk through fire, He will preserve you. When you face opposition, He will strengthen you. Arise in faith, move forward with courage and trust the God who has promised, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.”

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, deliver me from every spirit of fear and fill me with faith, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let Your presence continually accompany me wherever I go, in Jesus name.

3. Father, strengthen me whenever I feel weak, discouraged or overwhelmed, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, arise as my Helper and fight every battle beyond my ability, in Jesus name.

5. Father, go before me and remove every obstacle standing against my progress, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, preserve me whenever I pass through the waters and fires of life, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let every fear concerning my future be replaced with confidence in Your promises, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let my faith become stronger than every voice of fear around me, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let me walk boldly in the purpose and assignment You have given me, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let Your power, love and sound mind rule my heart continually, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall not be ruled by fear; the courage of the Lord shall rise within you.

2. The presence of God shall accompany you wherever you go.

3. Every situation that has intimidated you shall become a testimony.

4. The Lord shall strengthen you where you are weak and uphold you where you are falling.

5. Every obstacle standing before you shall give way by the power of God.

6. When you pass through the waters, they shall not overwhelm you.

7. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be consumed.

8. Every fear concerning your future shall be replaced with faith and confidence in God.

9. You shall arise with courage and fulfil God's purpose for your life.

10. You shall move forward without fear, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.