Joshua 1.9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Under normal circumstances, Simon Peter did not lack confidence. Peter was bold, brash, and impetuous. He was quick to declare confidently his position on any topic. However, under the pressure of Jesus’ arrest by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Peter discovered that he lacked courage when it counted.
After Jesus was taken into custody, a servant girl asked Peter, “Are you one of this man’s disciples?” But because he was afraid, Peter denied Christ and said, “I am not.”
Such was the depth of Peter’s betrayal that Luke records that he “began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know this man of whom you speak.’” These were words spoken in fear. Yet earlier that very night, as related to us in the gospel of Matthew, Peter was adamant he would never deny Jesus.
“Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Peter answered, ‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you’” And all the disciples said the same.” (Matthew 26.31-35)
Yet as Peter followed The Path of Jesus, he slowly but surely grew in courage. He learned to walk by faith, not fear. Just a few months after denying Jesus to the servant girl, Peter stood in front of the high priests in Jerusalem and boldly, clearly, and courageously proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah.
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4.11-12)
The difference between a response of faith versus a reaction of fear is what you focus on. Fear focuses on the negative and fixates on the worst-case scenario. Faith focuses on the purpose, the power, and the presence of God. It fixates on what needs to be done.
Trusting and obeying God drives out fear. The apostle John tells us why: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4.18)
- When you recognize what God has done for you because He loves you, fear is driven out. Despite the accusations and condemnations of the enemy, you focus on trusting God and His grace. Grateful drives out fearful.
- When you respond to what God commissions you to do, fear is driven out. Despite distractions and adversity, you focus on obeying God and fulfilling the mission to which He calls you. Faithful drives out fearful.
Peter was most effective and fruitful when he trusted the Lord and operated from faith, not fear. What about you? Do you have courage when it counts? When you are threatened by something challenging and difficult—or even dangerous—how do you respond? Do you stand strong and trust God’s presence and power in your life?
The enemy wants you to walk by fear. God calls you to walk by faith.
Coram Deo
