Trepidation

Scripture

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious Right Hand {Jesus}.

~Isaiah 41:10, NLT

Quote

There is a very fine line between fear and faith.

~Gary Hamrick

Trepidation is a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen. Apprehension, dread, anxiety, worry or tension are all symptoms of trepidation. Three times God exhorted Joshua to be strong and courageous. In Joshua 1:9, the LORD commands–Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Why would God give Joshua such a command? Because trepidation had tripped the Israelites us before. Their faith evaporated and fear became their controlling emotion. In fear of their enemies, they rebelled against God and as a result, they perished in the wilderness. We cannot give in to fear. We cannot allow fear to dictate our actions. God did not frighten Joshua–He encouraged him. “God does not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” {2 Tim.1:7} When fear comes, know where it comes from; know its origin. Fear is antithetical to faith: the greater your fear, the less your faith and vice versa. This is why it is so important to feed your faith and starve your doubts. I can promise you–the person who sits in front of a TV watching the news will be fearful and the person who sits with an open bible in the presence of God will be faithful and unafraid.

One of the most revealing things about the recent pandemic was the fear and panic I saw in people who professed to be Christians. Matter of fact, you still see it. I was in Krogers with June the other day and I saw two people wearing those infernal mask. I love the story one of my best friends told about the pandemic when it was at its height. He went to Lowes to get something and when he went to check out, he did not pay attention to blocks on the floor that mark social distancing {more bologna}. The man in front of him checking out, turned to my friend and said, “Excuse me, I will be finished in a minute.” My friend didn’t know what he was talking about but when he didn’t move away from the man, the man said again, “Can’t you give me a minute.” This time my friend asks for clarification and the man told him he was afraid of the virus and he would appreciate some respect. My friend told him, “If you are that afraid, why don’t you keep your rear end at home.” Except my friend did not use the term “rear end.” Faith and fear are like oil and water, they don’t mix: one or the other will be dominant.

By the way, Joshua had good reasons for being afraid: [1] He was succeeding Moses one of the greatest leaders of all time, [2] he was taking on the responsibility of over 2 million Israelites and they are not an easy people to lead and [3] he had a overwhelming assignment, the conquest of 300,000 square miles. Did Joshua conquer all that God promised? No, he came short just as Moses came short, but he did not give in to fear and you and I cannot give in either. It is a constant temptation: just don’t yield. It will become dominant if you allow it.

Extra

PTL the high today is 79 and it feels like fall out there this morning…Hallelujah! Its TGIF day. Danville is off tonight for a much needed rest. Lord willing I will be going to Brewer. You don’t know the meaning of tailgating until you go to Brewer; they do it right. They set up on hamburger hill which overlooks the field. It is a perfect place for a tail gate party. Have a great day and weekend.

 

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