Fight fear and find purpose
The book of Hebrews teaches us to live through difficult times in a way that pleases God and grows us and those around us. As we struggle through extraordinary circumstances we can learn how to do the same. The solution is to live by faith and not to “shrink back” (cower). Living by faith rather than fear is something that many Old Testament Saints were commended for. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews begins by showing us five people who pleased God by faith and gives us five ways to fight fear and find purpose. They are:
Give our best to God in Gratitude
Cultivate a Loving Fascination with God and walk with God
Cultivate a reverent Fear of God and build the Church
Obey God in every little detail, Leave what you need to leave
Trust God to fulfil His promises and trust Him to conceive something new through you
Scripture
Hebrews 11:4-12 ESV By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. [5] By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. [6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. [7] By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. [8] By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. [11] By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. [12] Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Bible Study Questions
Hebrews 10:38 says that the righteous live by faith, and that they do not “shrink back” (which can also mean “cower”). What does this tell us about the nature of faith compared to fear?
According to Hebrews 11:1-2 what were the people of God, recorded in the Old Testament, commended for?
One of the Old Testament people of God who was commended for his faith was Abel. How did Abel acknowledge God and show gratitude for His provision? How was his gesture different to Cain’s? (Genesis 4:3-4)
Genesis five features a genealogy, Enoch stands out in a number of ways from those before and after him. In Genesis 5:22-24 the Holy Spirit says that Enoch “walked” with God. This Hebrew word can mean (amongst other things) to travel, be conversant with, follow and behave. What do you think it meant that Enoch “walked” with the Lord? (Genesis 5:22-24)
Building the ark may have taken Noah years. What motivated him to build the ark, and what was the result of his efforts? (Hebrews 11:7)
Abraham left his country and his people without knowing where God was sending him. He trusted in God’s word and character. What specific promise of God was he looking forward to? (Hebrews 11:8-10)
Sarah trusted that God would give her a child even though she had been barren for her entire life and was old. Rachel and Rebecca were also unable to conceive until God miraculously gave them children. What did Sarah trust in? (Hebrews 11:11-12)
Additional Scriptures
Genesis 4:3-4, Genesis 5:22-24, 1 Corinthians 3:11-14, Matthew 19:29, 2 Timothy 1:5
Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven, we praise You for Your awesome power, perfect word and perfect character. Thank You Lord for giving us the Holy Scriptures and for their perfect trustworthiness. Father we cry out to You to help us through these difficult times. Please help us to remember that You are in control and that Your purpose for us can never be ruined, not by any power. Please help us to live for Your purpose and to walk in faith rather than sight, shunning fear and trusting in You. Please bless our country Lord, bless the Church and help us to do what You created us for. We pray for the salvation of many who don’t yet know You Lord. Thank You for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin, and the Power of Your Holy Spirit who dwells in us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Service
We’ve learned that walking in faith begins with gratitude and giving our best to God, fearing God in a devoted and loving fascination, obeying Him in every small and large decision, and trusting Him regardless of the outcome. These five steps provide many opportunities for service. Pray for God to guide us along this life path. We can not walk this path alone, it is a path that requires that we love and care for others to the glory of God. When we focus on others, we lose focus on our own fears and insecurities. Let’s ask God to do this as we fight fear and find purpose, no matter the circumstances.