FROM FEAR TO FEAR

Psalm 34:1–14 NIV

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

INTRODUCTION

One summer night during a severe thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?"

Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't, dear. I have to sleep in Daddy's room."

A long silence followed. At last, it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!"

We have just come to the end of a week that always brings an interesting mix of opinions, beliefs, and even emotions. Some might even say that it is when many of us experience the transition from fear...to fear.

What do I mean by that? (P)

Well, Halloween is one of those holidays that some people avoid altogether, and others with children may focus on the fun parts of it, like trick or treating, and people could go back and forth all day about how they observe (if they observe) that time of year, how they feel about it, and so on.

But I think everyone could agree that Halloween is the one holiday associated with scarier things. You see that in decorations, costumes, music, and even some movies. And then, as soon as that is over, we go into Thanksgiving, and then Christmas - where we honor the Birthday of the Son of the living God - pretty much back-to-back, and it’s kind of crazy how within a month, you can go from a holiday that implies fear, to seeing signs of the holiday that brings us to an altogether different kind of fear, as we think of the awesomeness of our God. (P)

This sudden transition, interestingly enough, is consistent with what we often face in the roller coaster of life, just as David did, as he writes about in Psalm 34. (P)

David actually starts this Psalm with a suggestion that has always been a struggle for people. And we can think of other passages that have similar kinds of advice. {CLICK}

Psalm 34:1–3 NIV

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. {CLICK} I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. {CLICK} Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

It’s the same impossible-seeming instruction the Apostle Paul gives his readers in Thessalonica: {CLICK}

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NIV

Rejoice always, {CLICK} pray continually, {CLICK} give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

(P)

When we face scary moments, painful moments, and all-around difficult moments in our lives - how can we put these words into practice? How can we rejoice and praise and show gratitude when life is absolutely terrifying and not at all going our way? (P)

David, in writing the next several verses of this 34th Psalm, describes two very different types of fear, and understanding the difference between the two is critical to our faith walk. And when we understand them, it is even helpful in answering some of these tough questions. (P)

First, we explore: {CLICK}

Fear as it pertains to terror and dread.

It’s the kind we are most familiar with - it’s the scary kind of fear. It’s the kind of fear the Bible declares hundreds of times we should try to avoid.

I have heard people say that Do not fear is found 365 times in scripture, one for every day of the year. To be honest, I never counted, and it probably depends on translation, but I know it’s in there a lot. (P)

We also know the Bible says things like:{CLICK}

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

{CLICK}

And we respect that, because it’s in the Bible, and we know it’s true. And still, day after day, week after week, we find ourselves fighting these feelings of fear. (P)

What were people like Paul and David thinking when writing about how we should be able to rejoice, even in the midst of those scary and challenging times? It must have been nice for life to be so good for them that they could say this with such ease, never having scary or dangerous moments...right?

Oh wait...that isn’t true, is it?

I think we can remember that both of them had multiple times in their lives that were scarier than what most of us will ever face, so perhaps it helps to dig a little deeper and see how they could come to this conclusion. (P)

It’s interesting to note that David wrote this song as a direct response to his terrifying experience in Gad, while he was still on the run from King Saul. (P)

We find this particular event in 1 Samuel 21, verses 11-15.

In summary, while David was running from Saul, he came upon this town in Gad that he thought would be a good place to lie low and hide in his exhaustion. But it did not take long to realize that the people there recognized him - as the man who, unlike Saul, who had killed his thousands in battle, killed tens of thousands.

It was not uncommon for David to best Saul in these kinds of things, even though he never intended it for competition, but it’s the very thing that made Saul jealous anyway. It’s what made him try to go after David. It’s the thing that made him get the word out to other influential leaders to be on the lookout - like those wanted signs you always see in Western movies. (P)

David realized that he wasn’t safe even in Gad, especially when the king, Achish, who was very much one to be afraid of, started asking about him - so in desperation, he did the only thing he could think of - he started acting like a crazy, insane, madman so they would dismiss him from town, and not bother him.

It actually worked.

It’s probably not a good way to get a day off from work, so I don’t suggest trying it, but it worked for David, and what you hear now in Psalm 34 is David giving thanks to God for delivering him from that incredibly dangerous situation. (P)

So I believe what we see in this passage is not that we should never ever allow a single ounce of fear to come into our lives - because that’s going to happen.

But what we are told to do when encouraged not to fear is to assess the kind of fear you have, and then take the appropriate action. (P)

Now we can be afraid of a lot of different things, and there are different kinds of fear, but I tend to group them into two broad categories - two ways in which fear comes upon us - and which one you experience often determines how you respond. (P)

First, there is the: {CLICK}

Fear brought upon by evil.

It’s the kind that has its roots in sin. It’s when we get scared, distressed, or dread the things of life that happen as a result of our own or other people’s sinful choices.

Many people get scared to go out at night, not because the dark itself has anything wrong with it, but it’s where things often take place under the cover of darkness. Will I be mugged, attacked, or worse?

People get afraid when they get pulled over by a police officer because they know there are consequences for speeding or other traffic violations.

People in Nigeria, after what Glen shared last week, may be afraid of going to church or taking their faith public because of what the persecutors are doing.

It’s what David dealt with Gad. He spent quite a bit of time in fear because of the evils of King Saul, and what he was trying to do to David.

We lock our doors at night and are wary about where our kids and teenagers go, and take all kinds of precautions because we fear how the imperfections and evils of a world of sin will affect us. (P)

We are aware of Satan’s role in this, and so Peter words this type of fear perfectly. {CLICK}

1 Peter 5:8–9 NIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {CLICK} Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

That’s one way this “scary” fear manifests itself, but there’s a second that is not necessarily rooted in evil - in fact, usually this kind is not, and that’s: {CLICK}

Fear brought upon by the unknown.

Maybe it’s not anything bad at all, but you are being called to go do something, like a mission trip or some other ministry opportunity. Or you’re starting a new job, and you don’t know what to expect. How many parents, when having your first child, were terrified? A child is a wonderful thing, but man, there’s a lot at stake. (P)

Think of the Biblical examples of this. How many times during the birth of Jesus at that first Christmas were the people involved told not to be afraid?

In Luke 1, Mary was informed that she was with child, which was biologically impossible, because she didn’t do anything to make it possible, and was told not to be afraid because of the incredible plans God had in store.

In Matthew 1, when Joseph was brought in on the happenings, he was told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, that she had done nothing wrong, but that God was about to change the course of the entire human race with this event.

At Jesus’ birth, the shepherds saw the celestial miracle of angels galore appearing to tell them about Jesus, and they were told not the be afraid, because the angels were there for nothing but joyful purposes.

Jesus’ encouragement to the disciples when sending them out for ministry always implied they shouldn’t be afraid.

And hundreds of times throughout the scriptures, God’s people were encouraged not to fear - to not be afraid, especially of that which God was calling them to. (P)

So I don’t think that statement, Fear not, is a slap in the wrist when those feelings do inevitably come upon us, but what is our response?

Do we let it go out of control - all the way to dismay, anxiety, and panic? (P)

Jim Wilson and Roger Russell talk about what this could look like. They tell how:

A man afraid of spiders spotted one in the laundry room of his West Seattle home. In order to get rid of it, he grabbed a lighter and a can of spray paint. There is no report about the fate of the spider, but the house caught fire, causing about $60,000 worth of damage.

They add: That is a lot to get rid of one spider.

They then go on to say that, at its worst:

Fear can make us act irrationally. We have fears that keep us from effectively serving the Lord, and the messes these fears get us into are often worse than what we were afraid of in the first place. “Fear not,” God says. “I am with you.” (P)

And so the other option we have for a response to fear is to trust and wait on God, like we see David suggest as we return to Psalm 34.

He says in verse 4: {CLICK}

Psalm 34:4–6 NIV

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. {CLICK} Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. {CLICK} This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

And David’s not just saying that because it’s a nice thing to say and it’s the right thing to say.

Paul didn’t make similar claims because he had some remarkable immunity to fear and an incredible ability to not let the horrors of life affect him.

They can say it because they went through it!

And so have you.

You have all been through all types of fears and terrors, and here you are today, still kicking, and with a story to tell of how God got you through. (P)

And some of you are facing unspeakable fears today, and you’re questioning how you can not be afraid, and maybe you’re wondering where God is right now in the midst of it. (P)

Hang in there, talk to Him, seek Him, trust Him, because as He’s done every time before, He will get you through it.

Because ours is a God who can do that, and wants to!

And as David says, He’s a God who deserves our praise, He deserves to be glorified, and He deserves to be exalted because of His deliverance in those scary situations, among many other reasons. (P)

And while we wait, He will give those who ask what Paul calls a peace that passes all understanding.

What an inspiration it is when I hear people who are going through some really awful stuff say, I have a peace about it.

That’s what God will do. (P)

He is a God to be respected and revered, which, interestingly enough, are the synonyms for the second kind of fear David talks about in Psalm 34, and the one that’s not as commonly used or understood.

He talks about: {CLICK}

Fear as it pertains to reverence and respect.

{CLICK}

Psalm 34:7–10 NIV

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. {CLICK} Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. {CLICK} Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. {CLICK} The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

(P) {CLICK}

It’s a mysterious type of fear, really, but one that makes us think of the awesomeness and justice of God. (P)

The book of Daniel gives us a great example of what this looks like.

Do you remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in chapter 3?

They were three friends who shared Daniel’s zeal for God, which then caused them to end up in a fiery furnace because they refused to stop worshiping God, despite King Nebuchadnezzar’s orders.

They feared God (the respect kind) more than they feared the king (the scared kind). (P)

Wow - to have that strong a faith and devotion to God - nothing stops those who have that! (P)

What baffled the king and his servants was the fact that three people went into the furnace, but in the shadow between the flames, they saw the silhouette of four people - and then were even more in awe when the three came out unsinged. (P)

Because of the healthy kind of fear of God these three men had, the king found a dose of that himself in verses 28 and 29: {CLICK}

Daniel 3:28–29 NIV

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. {CLICK} Therefore, I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

From fear to fear. (P)

I call this type of fear mysterious because if you look up the Hebrew, yare, it means awe, reverence, and respect, but it does also contain some elements of terror and dread.

So how can that be? (P)

Well, I believe it’s like this.

God fights for His people. He will do what it takes -which is why He went to the extent of sending His Son to die for us.

And so He absolutely provides His love, and mercy, and salvation, but He also leaves it for us to choose - either Him, or the way of the world that is rooted in evil because of the influence of Satan.

And so the other side of the mercies and salvation has to be judgment. If He wants His people to be free from suffering in eternity, then He cannot let suffering come into eternity. {CLICK}

Revelation 14:7 NIV

There was a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.”

And so yes, a healthy fear of God contains some elements of both the good stuff and scary stuff, but not in the way that should have the Christian trembling in terror or dread. (P)

Let me explain:

Growing up, I had a good relationship with my parents.

I know not everyone can say that, but I hope you can at least identify an adult who had some similarities, or you can at least grasp what I am trying to get at.

They were loving, provided for us, kept us safe - I felt secure when I was around them. We did fun things together. I respected them greatly.

There was only one thing that made me afraid of my parents, and that was when I was being a punk and they had to do what any good parent would do - give me consequences, which I would truly dread. (P)

God is a loving parent who adores us. He provides for us and protects us, and He wants us to enjoy Him. He is a patient God who wants to give us every chance possible to escape the influences of evil. That’s what the crucifixion was all about, and salvation, and forgiveness when we do fall short.

He’s not up there waiting with lightning bolts and avalanches to strike us and pummel us every time we make a mistake. We don’t have to be afraid of Him in that way.

But God is not a God to be trifled with. There is a judgment and a miserable place reserved for those who reject Him, and who would have the audacity to, after all God has done for us, constantly and willfully choose sin over Him. (P)

And some have said, Well, He can’t be that loving of a God if He would doom someone to Hell.

Wrong!

He wouldn’t be a loving God if He didn’t stop evil once and for all, so that He could provide that place of perfect paradise for those who love Him and fear Him. (P)

Because He loves us, He gives us every opportunity to turn from evil and follow Him instead. But that opportunity has an expiration date - it can only be offered for so long. And that date is the last day you are on Earth, whether because of death or the return of Christ. As long as you are alive, you have the opportunity to commit to a life of following and fearing (the respect kind) this loving, awesome God. (P)

Now, David didn’t know about Jesus Christ yet, outside a few prophetic pieces that God led him to include in the Psalms, but his quest was one and the same - to not keep the news of God’s deliverance to himself, but to use his experience to encourage others.

And so this Psalm 34 is not only a testimony, but an invitation for others to place their hope and healthy fear in this amazing God that came to David’s rescue, and so in verses 11-14, David gives a very helpful lesson to his readers, so they could know how to do what David did in his relationship with God.

He says: {CLICK}

Psalm 34:11–14 NIV

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. {CLICK} Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, {CLICK} keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. {CLICK} Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Follow God’s commands, because they are only there to help you.

Avoid evil, because it is only there to hurt you.

And seek to do good for others, aiming to bring peace, encouragement, and the love of God to them. (P)

What does living God’s way have to do with fear?

Imagine how much less scary David’s life would have been if he hadn’t had to run from Saul.

Imagine how much less scary your life would be if people didn’t lurk in the night, wishing to harm others; if you could trust everyone with your children, and if you didn’t have to lock your doors for fear of those who would break in to try to harm your family.

Imagine how much less scary the church would be to people if they could come in the doors and not have to be grumped at by people who are worried about everything but Christ, and people could trust that Christians always acted like Christians. (P)

One way God delivers people from fear is by putting folks in their path who aren’t scary, because they have each other’s well-being in mind. That’s what the prophet Nathan would eventually come to do for David. (P)

Can we do that?

Can we build each other up in encouragement instead of making them afraid of us because we have a reputation for tearing others down? (P)

I know people like that. And I know people like that in churches, and it isn’t acceptable. That’s why even Paul had to address it. {CLICK}

Ephesians 4:29 NIV

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. {CLICK}

Romans 14:19 NIV

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

(P)

CONCLUSION

David wanted people to taste and see that the Lord is good.

What are we doing to help other people discover that?

What are we showing them? (P)

I like watching cooking shows, and I see some of these chefs making some delicious-looking things. But that’s as far as I can evaluate it - I’m not there, so I can’t actually know and experience, using my senses, what that food smells like or tastes like. I can only think about what it might taste like from what I know of the ingredients used.

Now there are chefs like Justin Wilson, Emeril Lagasse, and Mario Batali who would actually do their shows in front of people, so they could actually smell, and sometimes taste the final product...something I always thought would have been cool to try.

To get the full effect, you have to actually be there, where your senses can get to work. (P)

Very few people out there don’t at least know something about God. Some don’t, but most people have either attended church or heard something along the way of what this guy in the sky named God is all about. They can imagine from what they heard what a God like that must be like.

But people who don’t believe in Him feel that way because they have never tasted Him or seen Him - they haven’t experienced Him the way David had, or you have. And that’s usually because no one ever bothered with trying to help them.

All they know is the fear of this life, but no one has ever shown them the One who could alleviate those fears. (P)

When children fall and hurt themselves, or are sick, and they are crying, their body releases hormones that are basically these stress chemicals, which aren’t good for us, and the only known antidote for that are the dopamines that are released when the love of a parent or some other special person in their life comes and saves the day with a hug and comforting words.

Too many children are raised without that nowadays, and so without those counter-acting hormones to cancel out the stress and fears, those chemicals build up and cause what is literally known as Toxic Stress Syndrome, which leads to a whole host of issues later in life. (P)

Fear does that, and it does so on a spiritual level, as well.

Can you reflect on the times that God has helped you in your fears, and can you trust Him to do it again?

Can you let the love of your Heavenly Father fill you with all good things in your worst of times to counteract the bad?

Can you, through your testimony, your prayers, your concern and love for others that they see in you, help them find that comfort in God, too?

Can you teach them how to turn their fears into a glorious fear of God? (P)

We are here to pray with you if you need that today for the fears and stresses in your life, and if you are just ready to dedicate or rededicate your life to God. Come forward, or to the prayer room, and let someone pray with you as we close our time of worship today.