"Your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing." - 2 Thessalonians 1:3b

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Faith vs. Fear II Samuel 24; I Chronicles 21-22

by Mike Durrill
Context is so important.

David had lived a life of trusting God. Faith in the "strong arm of the LORD" was his mantra. As a boy he defeated Goliath of Gath with a sling and a stone and trust in the LORD. As king of Israel he led by faith in the LORD. God was glorified, God was praised, in the hearts and minds of the Israelites He was pre-eminent as exemplified by their king.

And then one day, out of fear, or perhaps in pride, David counts his army. This meant that the LORD, Who had given the nation of Israel these victories, was no longer pre-eminent. In a moment of faithlessness, David cast aside the LORD and taught a nation to live by sight rather than by faith.

The king knew what he had done, and conviction set in. We've all been there.

In the New Covenant, James writes, "Whatever is not of faith is sin." In the Old Covenant, "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness." 

Faith and Fear cannot co-exist.
One must conquer fear with faith or submit to fear by casting out faith. They are polar opposites.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" - Hebrews 11:1

When God promises to do something, He will come through.

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