What Are You Afraid Of?

Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. ~ Psalm 9:20

I recently did a search on the various fears people may have. Checking numerous sources, I found the following to be among the ten most common, though not necessarily in this order:

1. Spiders
2. Heights
3. Flying
4. Storms
5. Death
6. Crowds
7. Confined spaces
8. Vomiting
9. Cancer
10. Germs

I read of people becoming so bound by their fear that it is a great hindrance in their lives. For instance, some become so afraid of germs that they will never leave their homes, while others fear cancer so much they avoid anyone they know who has it.

There is a sobering irony in all of this. Men being cumbered in fears they should not have, while lacking the one fear that should utterly grip their hearts. That is... the fear of the Lord.

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. (Psalm 33:8)

Jesus said… “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” (Luke 12:5)

Sinful men are at enmity with their Creator. They have violated His holy standards. They have rebelled against their Maker. They have become defiled and unclean things. God is angry with them. His wrath now abides upon them. One day this just and mighty God will pour out His wrath upon all who work iniquity and cause offence. They will be cast into hell where they will spend an eternity separated from Him.

Should not men fear God? Indeed! Yet, to the destruction of their own souls, they do not.

Look at the list. Do your own search. You will not find the fear of God among the common fears people have. Truly, as we have been told:

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18)

How utterly tragic this is. Because…

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Psalm 145:19)

and…

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. (Psalm 147:11)

Do you "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling?" (Psalm 2:11)

　
What are you afraid of?


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Do You Really Want To Know Jesus?

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ~ Philippians 3:10

　
Here the apostle Paul speaks of a ‘knowledge’ of Jesus that goes way beyond some simple head knowledge and is much deeper than a sentimental affection. Truly, it is a knowledge of the most intimate type.

Paul wants to be so identified with the nature and character of Jesus that he is willing to suffer to the point of death that he might know the power of His resurrection.

Listen to what Paul is saying.

He is saying:

I want to know what it is to be mocked, despised, and tormented for God.
I want to know what it is to be so hated by this world that I am put to death.
I want to know His victorious power of resurrection to life!
I want to know Him!!!

Obviously, Paul is not talking about some casual Sunday-go-to-meeting type fellowship. He is speaking of a total sold-out surrender that goes way beyond that.

Think about that for a moment.

Let that sink deeply into your mind.

Then ask yourself... “Do I really want to know Jesus?”

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