FAITH CAPSULE: Fear in the face of trouble is the demonstration of no confidence in the Lord.

1 Samuel 28

The book of Proverbs 3:25-26 counseled, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.” To be afraid in the face of trouble or in the face of sudden terror is the demonstration of no confidence in the Lord or the evidence of lack of knowledge what God can do. Often times, it is easy to confess hope and trust in the Lord but when trouble or sudden terror comes like a wave, faith becomes tested. However, the more one hear and hear about how different troubles and sudden terrors were overcome by the presence of the Lord, our faith supposedly will rise. The word of God is true when it states that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) How are you boosting your confidence and not be afraid in the face of world challenges?
To be afraid is an indirect way of despising the word of God in one’s life. At every time the word of God is despised one is set for destruction. Destruction is exactly what the enemy wants for every man. Fear is the weapon of the enemy and the opposite of faith.
Saul was afraid and brought himself down as king. Once, Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa to fight the Philistines. It is written, “When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.  And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.” (1Samuel 28:5-6) As a result of his feeling, he entered into deception in attempt to hear from God. He disguised and acted against the law by consulting a woman who is a medium. It is written, “Then the woman said to him, “Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?” (1 Samuel 28:9) Being afraid did not solve the problem of Saul but compounded it. Saul reacted to the sudden terror by becoming afraid after he could not hear from God.
David was supposed to be afraid when the Amalekites invaded his camp at Ziklag; burnt down and took away women and children as captive. David’s people spoke of stoning him because the soul of his people was grieved. David was distressed but he strengthened himself in the Lord God. (1 Samuel 30:4-6) You have the word of God, be strengthened in the word of God and you shall overcome and not be victim of being afraid.
 
Prayer for today: Ask God to enable you to operate in the spirit of power, love and sound mind.