I Will Fear No Evil

Posted On September 6, 2020

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 NIV

“Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

Randy Alcorn tells us that “Scripture is full of commands to fear God, and it is also full of commands not to be afraid.” So how exactly are we supposed to interpret these commands? That’s what I want to explore in this week’s post. It would be nice to be able to go through life without being afraid. Is this really possible? Let’s find out.

First of all, what does it mean to fear God? Are we supposed to be scared of Him all the time? My study Bible explains that “‘Fear the Lord’ gradually became a standard phrase for a good relationship with God. A good relationship begins with a reverent sense that God is so powerful and righteous that we dare not take him lightly. But it goes on from awe to a sense of deep security . . . .” Charles F. Stanley offers this insight: “The word afraid in the Old Testament also means to stand in awe of, revere, or respect. Only God deserves your awe, respect, and reverence. . . . He is with you and He is able to overcome anything that you’ll ever face.” So to fear the Lord means to have a loving relationship with God based on respect, reverence, and awe. When we have this kind of connection with God, confessing our sins before Him and trusting our lives to Him, we are told in Romans 8:15 that we can call Him Father. We are His children, and He will be with us and protect us.

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa?’ God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.”

Romans 8:15-16 MSG

Randy Alcorn reminds us: “We fear God when we come to grips with the fact that He is always right and we are not, that He is in charge and we are not . . . . God is not a genie, under our control. He is the Master.” When God is in charge of our lives and we follow His commands, we have no reason to fear anyone or anything else. The key is to actually do this! We have to obey God and follow His leading, trusting Him completely. If we try to wander off on our own, we may come to dangers we are unprepared to face.

“The fear of the Lord leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

Proverbs 19:23 NIV

Notice this proverb doesn’t say we won’t have trouble, just that we won’t be touched by it. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we won’t face dangers or hardships, it just means that when we stay close to God, He is always there to help us. He will give us whatever we need to deal with the challenges we’re facing. He will give us His strength, His wisdom, His power, His love, or whatever else is required. I like to think of His presence as a protective bubble around me, protecting me along whatever path He chooses for me to follow.

A couple of months ago I did a Wondertakings post titled “Our Awesome God” in which I included an original story based on 2 Kings 6:8-23, a passage that reminds us that God’s amazing power is always there, even when we can’t see it. I put a fantasy spin on the story, using new names and places and changing some of the details. As I also mentioned in that post, several years ago I wrote a very short story in the same setting about the prophet Elisha, or Eli as I called him, based on 2 Kings 2:23-25. This story fits well with our topic this week, so I have included it below. First, here is the passage it is based on:

“From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. ‘Go on up, you baldhead!’ they said. ‘Go on up, you baldhead!’ He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.”

2 Kings 2:23-25 NIV

This is a pretty gruesome scene. It’s worth including a short commentary on this passage before we get to my story. My study Bible includes this note:

“At first reading, the brief account in these three verses is very troubling. A prophet calling on bears to maul children? But, in this instance, historical background and a precise translation help cast the event in a different light. Bethel was a hotbed of Baal worship, and its residents were engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the true prophets of God. When the youths called out, ‘Go on up, you baldhead!’ they were likely referring to what had just happened to the prophet Elijah — they were calling for Elisha to vanish into the sky, or in other words, to die. Futhermore, the word translated youths usually refers to young people in their late teens. In actuality, a large gang of teenagers was threatening a prophet’s life. Elisha cursed them, but there is no indication he actually called for a bear attack.”

The remarks above are actually what inspired me to write the following story. The focus, for me, is God’s protection of His servant — someone He sent to complete a specific task for Him. When we are following His path and doing the work He wants done, God will make sure we are successful.

~ Show Me Your Way ~

The sun was hot on Eli’s bald head as he walked along the rocky path.  His robe was heavy and uncomfortably warm in the still air.  The only sound he heard were his own footsteps as the gravel crunched beneath his sandals.  Up ahead he could see the bend which marked the southward turn he dreaded.

He had passed this way before and never without danger.  He was getting perilously close to the town of Kah-den and their ungodly ways.  They were known for their bloody raids of neighboring villages, and they often liked to ambush unsuspecting travelers just for sport.  They were also sworn enemies of Ailia.  If they saw an Ailian prophet pass by, they wouldn’t just attack – they would kill on sight.  He tightened his grip on his staff as he approached the bend.  Creator, be with me.

As he neared the turn in the path, he scanned the large rocks and shrubs on either side, looking for signs of attackers.  All was quiet.  He walked quickly, his staff slipping in his sweaty palm.  He knew how to handle danger, but he would rather not have to.  As a prophet of Ailia, he was often called to face treacherous situations, but he was a peaceful man by nature.  He prayed he would be spared a violent confrontation today.

He was almost through the narrow pass at the end of the bend when he heard shouting from above him.  He looked up and saw several young men emerge from their hiding places in the rocks overhead.

“Well, look here boys!  I think we caught ourselves a genuine prophesier from Ailia!” exclaimed the tallest of the youths, apparently the leader.  “Hey, baldy!  Tell me my future!  Do you foresee me beating you with your magic walking stick?”  The others laughed and joined in the taunting.

Eli sighed, closed his eyes, and prayed silently.  Creator, give me strength and show me the way.

“Hey, baldy!  I’m talking to you!  What’s the matter?  Are you already dead?  Hey boys!  I think we scared him to death!  Well, that just takes all the fun out of it, Baldy.  Why don’t you ask your Creator to bring you back to life long enough for us to beat you to death!”  More laughter and taunts erupted from the rest of the gang.  They were working themselves up into a frenzy.  Eli knew they were serious.  They did plan to beat him to death.

Eli slowed his breathing and focused his mind.  Creator, I am your servant.  My life is yours to use or take as you will.  Show me your purpose.  Give me your strength.

Eli opened his eyes and raised his staff.  The enraged youths had begun throwing rocks at him as they climbed down to the path to get to him.  A sharp rock hit him in the face, cutting the skin just above his eye.  Blood ran down his face and into his eye, making it difficult to see.  Eli called out in a loud voice, “In the name of the Creator, stop your evil ways or die by them!” 

The young men only laughed harder and began shouting even louder.  They began throwing punches at Eli.  “Die, you Ailian dog!”  Eli crouched down to protect his body.  They continued to punch and kick him as they tried to rip away his staff.  “We’ll beat you with your magic stick!  Die, you dog!  Die!  Die!”

Suddenly, Eli heard a loud howling sound.  At first he thought it was more jeering by the murderous gang, but as it grew louder, he realized what it was.  A pack of wild dogs, attracted by all the activity and looking for easy prey, was approaching fast.  Before the youths knew what was happening, the dogs were on them, ripping them to pieces.  Eli stayed crouched down into a protective ball, as the dogs tore at his attackers.

Finally, all was quiet, and Eli looked up cautiously.  There was no sign of the dogs.  Bloody drag marks and torn clothing were all that remained of the young men.  Eli stood up slowly and walked over to a large rock, away from the scene of the carnage.  His legs felt weak, and his hands were shaking.  He sat down and leaned on his staff as a wave of nausea hit him.  Once it subsided, he checked himself for injuries.  The cut above his eye had stopped bleeding, and although he was bruised, he didn’t appear to have any broken bones.  Thank you, Creator, for saving me!  My life is yours.  I remain your humble servant.  Show me your way.

A bird screeched overhead.  It was flying south.  Eli stood slowly and straightened his robe.  He grasped his staff firmly and continued south along the path.  The only sound he heard were his own footsteps as the gravel crunched beneath his sandals. 

“The fear of God is the death of every other fear.
Like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.”

Charles Spurgeon

When God calls us to step out in faith and do a task He’s given us, He promises to be with us and give us His strength. This has been true for me personally. No matter how scary the task, I know I can trust Him to guide me and give me the courage I need. He is the Creator of the universe. Nothing is more powerful than He is. We still may face hardships, but He promises to be there with us. He promises to help us through them. Isn’t it worth it to do God’s work? If I don’t muster my courage and take on my assignment, I may miss the opportunity to help somone else. The key is to trust God with all my heart and to rely on His power to strengthen me and His wisdom to show me the way.

“God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it. Nothing results from apathy. . . . God honors radical, risk-taking faith.”

Max Lucado

Max Lucado charges us to bravely seek the life God has in mind for us and then to go for it!

“There is a rawness and a wonder to life. Pursue it. Hunt for it. Sell out to get it. Don’t listen to the whines of those who have settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same so they won’t feel guilty. Your goal is not to live long; it’s to live. Jesus says the options are clear. On one side there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry and safe. . . . Or you can hear the voice of adventure — God’s adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God’s impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure it isn’t safe, but what is?”

Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment

“Christ is in charge of the universe whether or not we recognize Him — but when we do, we honor Him by submitting to His lordship. We still fear Him but in a way that does not diminish our love for Him or His for us.”

Randy Alcorn

God has work for us to do. If we are too afraid to do it, we miss out on the blessings He has for us and for those we are called to help. Max Lucado tells us that seeing Jesus and then imitating Him is what Christianity is all about. Jesus came as a humble servant. He stayed close to the Father, praying for His direction in all things. He did everything in love. And when He was called to do His job, He did it bravely. In doing so, He saved each and every one of us! We have all been blessed. Let’s show our gratitude and love for Christ by being just like Him.

“When God looks at you, he doesn’t see you; he sees the One who surrounds you. That means that failure is not a concern for you. Your victory is secure. How could you not be courageous?”

Max Lucado

This week’s Scripture passages remind us that when we fear God, we have no reason to fear anything else. There is a printer-friendly pdf version below the image. I have also posted a video of the song “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns. This song stresses the importance of living every second of our lives for Jesus — He’s all that matters. When we stay close to Him, prepared to step out in faith as His humble servants, we have no reason to be afraid!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

References:

• Alcorn, Randy. Seeing the Unseen, Expanded Edition: A 90-Day Devotional to Set Your Mind on Eternity. Multnomah, 2017.
• “Casting Crowns – Only Jesus (Official Music Video).” YouTube, uploaded by Casting Crowns, 16 November 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eQd3K2Fxp4.
• Lucado, Max. Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. J. Countryman, 2000.
• The New Student Bible, New International Version. Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.
• Stanley, Charles F. 30 Life Principles Study Guide: A Study for Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God. Thomas Nelson, 2008.

Images:

• Bridge featured image by Larisa Koshkina from Pixabay
• Valley image by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay
• Bubble image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
• Mountain Path image by Uwe Conrad from Pixabay