Whom shall I fear?

STUDY: # 943 –CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: June 13 @ 19, 2017

TOPIC: "Whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27 Our hearts are full of fear. We even fear those who are close to us. We are afraid of what our family thinks or says about us; what our coworker, brother or friend thinks or does, and so on. We fear everyone. The reason is that people have their own opinion about how one should be or do things. But we must have the truth within us. We should be clear about who we are; clearly know why we were put on this earth. It is important to know what you are, know the truth about your life. This way you can claim what is yours, and confidently speak to yourself. I am clear that I am a minister of God, and no one tells me otherwise. Someone said: (Benjamin Disraeli) "Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think." This makes it clear that what we think, what fills our "mind", is what conditions our life, and our walk through it. IF YOU FEAR, YOU WILL LIVE YOUR LIFE AS SUCH! In Philippians 4:8 Paul says: "… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable ... THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS." Many times, we don’t think like this. This is not what we have on our minds, and it’s the reason we are filled with fears! Fear is being afraid of things we consider harmful or negative. We can fear what happens, what has happened or is going to happen. The psalmist did not deny the reality that surrounded him, but said to himself: "God is my light (who dissipates all darkness). God is my salvation (who frees us from our enemies). God is my strength (He is my refuge, my castle in times of difficulty). Whom shall I fear if the God of Hosts is with me? Who can come against me? Whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” If the psalmist saw the reality around him, and understood the truth that God would help in everything he faced; then ask yourself, what is the real danger that oppresses me? Psalm 27:2 "When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall." There are evildoers, adversaries and foes who come together with a clear purpose: to destroy your life! The words of those who hate you are like delicious morsels that penetrate the bowels (Proverbs 26:22). But what awaits them? They will stumble and fall! They are the ones who want to destroy you, but you should know that God is not with them! The psalmist says to himself: "Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident." Psalm 27:3 The psalmist speaks to reassure himself, and find strength. Psalm 27:4 "… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple." The psalmist continues to say to the Lord: "Lord, I want to be in your house every day." Not only during certain days, or just during worship. I want to be in the house of the Lord every day! In the temple, that was clear to him. He wants to see the beauty of the Lord there and inquire, explore, find out, carefully examine. He wants to ask about God, to feel Him, and know Him even more. Before all other things in life, we seek Him. In His presence, we find revelation and victory. The beauty of God! God wants to reveal His beauty, sweetness, love, compassion, peace, and hope to our lives every day. The psalmist wants to inquire in the temple. He wants to receive the knowledge of the Lord. On the other hand, God also wants us to search for Him, to inquire about Him. He wants to give us knowledge about Him. He wants us to know the direction of our lives, and the lives of those we love. Psalm 27:5 "For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock." The Lord will hide us during a bad day. The psalmist knew that there are bad days, but with Him we are safe. He will give me the best refuge I can have: to hide in His tabernacle, in His glorious presence. He will lift me high upon a rock. The rock symbolizes stability. There is nothing better than feeling the stability that God provides, and wants to bring into our lives during a bad day. Psalm 27:6 "And

now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me..." God will give me victory, even though enemies surround me. Everyone will see my victory, which is their defeat! "And I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord." Praise God. Sing! This way you declare who He is, and the trust you have in Him. Tell your heart and mind, THIS IS THE TRUTH: THAT GOD IS WITH ME, AND THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR! You should know all the good that there is for you in His house. There is no need to fear. Store this thought in your mind, and conduct your life according to it. YOU WILL HAVE WHAT YOU THINK AND KNOW, AND NO ONE WILL HARM YOU! Amen. Note: Fear is born of a real or supposed danger. A real danger that truly threatens the integrity of a person is called "real fear." But if we are talking about an imaginary evil or danger that someone only imagines, it is classified as "neurotic fear." Fear is characteristically intense. Anxiety is a hazy fear; its origin is unknown. Panic can be a collective fear, simultaneously shared amongst many people. Neurotic fear easily becomes paralyzing anxiety. Psalm 27:1