Beyond Fear

Fear is a funny thing.  We can be afraid of someone, something, an event, or even ourselves.  We read in the Bible that ‘perfect loves casts out all fear,’ and that ‘God is love’, leading us to conclude that when God is in us, we should have no fear.  But as imperfect human beings, we forget that He who is in us is greater than he who is defeated in the world, and we become fearful.

As I was reading Judges one day, I came across the story of Gideon – how he defeated the Midianites with only three hundred men, how he trusted God, even when His plans seemed rather weak by man’s standards.  But something else stood out that I hadn’t noticed before.  Gideon was scared, every step of God’s plan.  (The following passages are from Judges 6 and 7)

     ...while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites

        So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

    Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”  Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”

   So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the Lord had said to him. But because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.

     Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.’” And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained.

   It happened on the same night that the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.  But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.”

      And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped.

At every stage, Gideon had some fear, something he had to overcome.  First, it was the threshing wheat in the wine press.  He didn’t want to let anyone know that he had grain; he feared someone would take it away. 

            Secondly, he doubted he could lead Israel at all.  He claimed his family was least in the tribe of Manasseh, and he was the least of his family.  He made an excuse to cover his fear – because the Israelites have been oppressed by the Midianites for seven years.  The Midianites had driven the Israelites out of their homes, they were living in caves, and they had destroyed everything they owned.  And yet, we see that Gideon’s family had grain (Gideon was threshing it), animals (he makes sacrifices to the L_ORD), and in a later verse, God says “take your servant Purah…” indicating that Gideon ‘the least in his household’ had a servant as well.  It would appear that Gideon’s family was not doing too badly, but once again, his fear of the Midianites had overcome him, as he made excuses not to follow the Angel of the Lord’s directions.        

            Gideon speaks to the Angel of the Lord, and when he realizes who it is, he fears for his life.  This fear, however, is not cowardly.  Many other times, people have feared for their lives when God speaks to them. He is so holy that we can’t handle it.  “For no man shall see Me, and live.” (Exodus 33:20b)  Nearly every an Angel, or the Angel of the Lord, visited people, they have said, ‘Do not fear.’ It is normal to have a healthy fear and respect for our God, because He is beyond and above anything we can ever be or imagine. 

            Fourth, God told Gideon to tear down the statue of Baal and the high places his father had set up.  These were obviously sinful, and had to go, to signify that Gideon was now following God wholeheartedly.  Gideon did so, but he did it at night, so no one could see him, know it was him, and condemn him.  He was afraid to take a public stand for God.  He had convictions in his heart, but wasn't prepared to let anyone else know about them, not yet anyways.

            Next, God allows anyone in Gideon’s army who is afraid to step down.  He didn’t want men who couldn't trust in Him enough, so He allowed them to go home.  The fact that God pointed this out shows that Gideon is changing.  He still might be afraid, but his faith is growing, and when 22,000 people go home, he is not one of them.

            Sixth, God is gave Gideon an extra sign, one that will strength his faith, one that will keep him strong until the end.  But this time God also addresses Gideon’s fear, “If you are afraid to go down…”  Gideon had to overcome his fear of visiting the enemy camp before he was able to hear God’s promise on the victory.  However, he didn’t have to go alone, God provided someone who was willing to go with him, Gideon’s trusty servant, Purah.  Purah was obviously not afraid to go down to the camp with Gideon, and, by surrounding himself with people who were strong than he was, Gideon too overcame his fear of the Midianite camp.

            And finally, when Gideon heard God’s promise - heard the dream which the Midianite had had, he fell down and worshiped God.  He had no fear now.  His eyes were totally focused on God, and Gideon knew that God, not he, would accomplish the task. 

Reflecting upon this, I realized that it is okay to be frightened.  It is okay to be nervous about what tomorrow may bring because God can and will still use frightened people.  We don’t have to be brave and strong before He will use us.  If our hearts are seeking Him, then He will make us brave.  But we must not stay in that place of fear instead we need to allow our faith to be strengthened and grow strong.  If our eyes are fixed on Him, our fear will melt like snow at the sight of the Son. 

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’  (Isaiah 41:10)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love.  (2 Timothy 1:7)