They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the Lord even though they feared the surrounding peoples.
Faith is never the absence of fear. Faith is obedience to a greater Fear in the face of the lesser fears. Every person acting in faith experiences some level of fear. Fear is a part of our existence here on this earth. It is natural. The person of faith presses on in obedience even though they know it may be unpopular and possibly even dangerous. The danger of pain and loss on this earth by others who live here doesn’t even compare to the danger of pain and loss that will follow those who reject God and His commands out of fear of others. Nor does this danger compare to the glory and life that will surround and engulf those who are walking in faithful obedience to the One who spoke the universe into existence.
Luke 12:4-7, “I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear! Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Those who are determined to faithfully obey, even in the face of the fear of pain and loss, receive the commendation and blessing of the Eternal Father. Fearing Him forms our faith and forges us in the fire. When we walk in the faith of Jesus Christ we will be tempted to cave in to our shortsighted fear; however, we walk by faith and not by sight. We know the One who can be trusted. We will trust Him. He is trustworthy.
Hebrews 11:6, Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Faith Faces Fear – Ezra 3:3
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