Fear; A Tactic of the Enemy

Pastor preached Sunday night about holding fast and he also preached last Thursday night using the story of David and Goliath. He used the illustration of this well known Bible story and how David came to fight and said (1 Samuel 17:29)

What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

David knew there was a cause and that God was going with him and this Giant would fall! I got to thinking more about this Bible story and re-read it yesterday. Isn't just like the devil to taunt? To try and make you fear him, as this giant was doing. Notice what the Giant said to them (1 Samuel 17:10)

I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

In response to this, did God's people say "Ok God is with us, we will fight against you for we trust God!" Oh no.....they were afraid. (1 Samuel 17:11)

When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

Here they are shaking in their boots with fear......doing just what the enemy was trying to get them to do; FEAR! This is one of satan's tactics and seemingly it was working very well until David came into the picture. Here comes this shepherd boy........Goliath after seeing David, was insulted that this "youth" was the one sent out to fight with him. He taunts him going on about how he will (1 Samuel 17:44)

.....give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

Then notice David's BOLD proclamation to the enemies' taunts and fear tactics (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.

Then David RUNS to this Giant and with a sling and a stone he is knocked down and dead. David wasn't afraid of the enemy, he knew God and that God would fight this battle and win!

Oh how many times have we, who proudly proclaim we are a Christian and wave the banner, become afraid and let the enemies' taunts cause fear to enter our minds? Who will be a David? Is there not a cause? Don't back down to the enemy, be bold and arise and fight! God didn't save you for you to be in fear of what satan might do to you. Who is stronger? Is satan stronger than God? NO, so quit acting like he is! NOTHING is impossible with God......let us not have a heart of unbelief, but rather HOLD FAST to the faith and STAND!

So the next time your Giant comes to taunt you and make you fear......instead of responding as he would wish, how about BOLDLY proclaiming your faith and telling satan to back down in the name of Jesus!

Romans 8:31

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?