The greatest enemy of our spiritual life is fear because fear is the opposite of faith. A man or woman who lives with fear is bound up and unable to walk in the way God designed. Their concern becomes other people’s opinions or another day’s problems.
Fear binds us and confines us, rendering us powerless. Most tragically, it keeps us from simple, restful confidence in the sufficiency of God and is a weak testimony to a watching world.
So what should we do when we are faced with fear?
RUN TO THE RIGHT SOURCE
Read 1 Samuel 19:18-24 and the stunning and unusual account of David escaping Saul’s presence after Saul had tried to kill him. David did not run to the world or the government. He did not hide in a closet or wither in crippling worry. He simply positioned himself in the right place.
Now David fled and escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. (1 Samuel 19:18)
David knew his greatest protection would be in God’s presence with God’s people. He ran to his friend and spiritual mentor and those who had gathered around Samuel in a prophet’s school. He went to church if you will.
GOD’S SOVEREIGN PROTECTION
God does not always keep us from every difficulty, for His power is perfected in our weakness. He even orchestrates or allows situations in our lives that will drive us to dependency on Him. (David was relentlessly pursued by an evil King for several years). But God can do anything He desires to overshadow us from enemies. He can protect us in the middle of our harshest battles and most violent storms. Underneath us are the everlasting arms.
In this extraordinary account, Saul sent three different sets of messengers to kill David. As each group came to Naioth, the presence of God overcame them, and they began to prophesy also.
Finally, Saul came himself. But before he could even get to the town, “the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth” (vs. 23).
God is the ruler of heaven and earth. He can turn any circumstance or person—even those with significant power and earthly authority—however He desires. There are many accounts during seasons of great spiritual revival and awakening of the enemies of God coming into environments where God was present in power. Regardless of their evil intents, they found themselves overwhelmed by God and joining in with His purposes. Matthew Henry said of Saul and his servants who came to attack David, that “Instead of seizing David, they themselves were seized.”
There is no safer place for you to be than in the hands of God, caressed by His presence. With Him, you have nothing and no one to fear.
