During our study, I noticed a fascinating trend. Joy is often mentioned alongside fear. I had to get to the bottom of it. Here it is!
There are two kinds of fear. Here’s the first:
Do not fear, but rejoice! This kind of fear and joy are meant to be mutually exclusive.
The Lord tells Jehoshaphat: Do not fear, because the battle is Mine. Then the people go into battle with musical instruments, and God gives them total victory. They rejoice! (2 Chronicles 20:15-17, 27)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? …I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy.” (Ps 27:1-6)
Don’t be afraid… There will be joyful feasts in the house of
A recently familiar one: “Don’t be afraid—I bring you good news of great joy!” (Luke 2:10-11)
Paul says his imprisonment has given him courage to speak the word of God without fear; He rejoices that Christ is being proclaimed, no matter what. (Phil. 1:14-18)
How about you? Do you know this kind of fear? A fear of people, enemies, threats within and without? But there is another kind of good fear.
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