Overcoming Fear: A Rock And A Hard Place

 Overcoming Fear:

A Rock And A Hard Place

Opening Illustration:

Brothers and sisters, I want to ask you a very simple question this morning. Do you believe that God is going to take care of you? Do you really believe that in your largest time of need that the Lord Himself will provide for your needs? I just be it would be interesting to poll this audience because I bet the answers would fluctuate according to our age. Older Christians, mature in their faith, have been through life’s difficulties. They have been overwhelmed by the tidal waves of this world and they know exactly how it fells not to know where their next meal will come from, if they will be able to pay next month’s rent, or if there was another job awaiting them on the day that they were terminated. These mature believers didn’t if they would be able to continue to give to the church. Older believers have seen God move, watched His actions, and know full well that God has never ever let them down. Sure life is hard. It can be scary, dark, and downright frustrating at times. Still, God never disappoints. You were able to eat. The rent got paid. It may not have been the job of your dreams but the right opportunity came along. It may not have been much but you were still able to give to the church. 

Younger believers, those who have not grown in their faith, sometimes wonder if God is really going to take care of them. They are still looking for proof. They are still in the deal making business with God. They say things like, “God if you are really there, if you really know what’s going on in my life, I will do what you ask of me if you will find a way to get me out of this mess I’m in”. I think that all of us have been there a time or two. When Angela and I were first married, my annual salary as a youth pastor was $18,000. No benefits. Our rent was just over $500 a month. It was a stressful time and I often wondered how in the world I was going to make it. We lived paycheck to paycheck just like many of you. We struggled, shoot, who am I kidding? We still struggle just like many of you. Still, even through all the struggle, all the hardship, God has never failed. He is provided for us, protected us at every turn. 

Speaking of God protecting and providing for us, reminds me of a story about a young man who fell in love with a beautiful girl. He was so in love that he eventually asked that girl to marry him. She brought him home to meet her parents. When he arrived, the father invited this potential new member of the family into his study for a brief talk. 

Illustration:

"So what are your plans?" the father asked the young man.

"I am a biblical scholar," he replied.

"A Biblical scholar. Hmmm," the father said. "Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in?"

"I will study," the young man replied, "and God will provide for us."

"And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?" asked the father.

"I will concentrate on my studies," the young man replied, "God will provide for us."

"And children?" asked the father. "How will you support children?"

"Don’t worry, sir, God will provide," replied the fiancee.

The conversation proceeded like this, and each time the father questioned, the young idealist insisted that God would provide.

Later, the mother asked, "How did it go, Honey?"

The father answered, "He has no job and no plans, and he thinks I’m God!"

Point:

Know this brothers and sisters, God makes promise after promise that He will provide for us and protect us. These promises are all over Scripture. If you are doubting God’s ability to meet your needs this morning, listen to these promises found in Holy Scripture:

Psalm 46:1 ESV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Exodus 14:14 ESV

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

2 Timothy 4:18 ESV

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Point:

Brothers and sisters I could go on and on just reading you promise after promise. I’m reminded of a quote from the Rev. Billy Graham, ““We can be certain that God will give us the strength and resources we need to live through any situation in life that he ordains. The will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.” No matter what you are facing today, God is going to supply your needs, give you whatever knowledge, provide for you the necessary skill. Put your faith in Christ. 

Point:

Sometimes we need proof when promises just don’t seem good enough. My grandfather told me a long time ago “talk is cheap”. Anyone can talk. Anyone can make a promises. I would wager this morning that there have been far more promises broken than kept. Did you know that we have a district in the United States solely dedicated to breaking promises to the American people? Ever been to Washington D.C.? The good news this morning is that God is no politician, He is not some flawed preacher. God is not selling you snake oil today. You can take His promises to the bank. 

Background and Context:

This morning before we read Exodus 17:1-7, I want to provide for you a brief background and context of today’s passage. The Israelites have witnessed the 10 plagues brought against Egypt. Miracle after miracle was performed by God through Moses until finally the will of the Pharaoh was broken. They are brought to the foot of the Red Sea where they think that God is going to abandon them there on the shoreline. They grumble and God hears. God splits the sea and the people go on dry ground to the other side. As Pharaoh gives pursuit, God releases the water, drowning the mightiest army in the world. Next we see the Israelites in the dessert. The people are hungry and they believe that God has abandoned them. They begin to grumble and God hears. God brings quail from the ground and angel food cake from the dew in the morning. The people have enough to eat and they have also been saved from the horror of dying in Egypt. This morning we encounter the Israelites again in the dessert. Now they are thirsty. They believe that God has abandoned them to die in the dessert. They grumble and God hears. God commands Moses to strike a rock and water will pour forth from this rock. Moses listens and obeys and what do you know, water from the rock. You might be able to sum up this experience like this:

“God’s people were discouraged at the foot of the Red Sea. They doubted Him when they were hungry and they disputed Him when they were thirsty!” 

In every case, God provides for His people. God is not in the business of breaking promises. Never was and never will. So let’s dive into God’s Word this morning. Reading from the English Standard Version. Exodus 17:1-7.

Today’s Thought:

God Promises Us That He Will Provide and Protect Us! 

Today’s Quote:

“We can be certain that God will give us the strength and resources

 we need to live through any situation in life that he ordains. 

The will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”

-Rev. Billy Graham

Israel’s Issues:

“God’s people were discouraged at the foot of the Red Sea. They doubted Him when they were hungry and they disputed Him when they were thirsty!” 

Today’s Scripture:

Exodus 17:1-7 ESV

All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim (Ref-a-dem), but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

How Can We Trust God When We Are Fearful?

I. Fight Fear By Being Vulnerable

Point:

For the past three weeks, the Israelites have gotten a pretty bad rap. Maybe for good reason. But, are we really that different. After all, fear makes mortals of all men. We make our plans. We have our schedules. We conduct our routines. Then what happens? Life gets in the way. Let me tell you what I have seen in the 20 plus years of ministry. 

I have seen a young man spend thousands of dollars on an engagement ring. He got down on one knee. She said no. How could God have let this happen? That was the question he asked me. 

I have seen a woman work for a company for 15 years. She gave her life to the company. Worked hard. Did everything right. Watched people get promoted over her for years with the promise that one day, it would be her turn. Finally that management position opened. Her superiors promised it would be hers. Instead they gave it to someone outside the company with less education and experience. Why did God do this to her she asked me.

I know a couple who sat down to do their taxes. They knew that they had saved correctly. They were going to get money back from the state and from the fed. When their taxes were complete they owed the government over $10,000. God knew that they did not have that kind of money. What were they going to do?

In every case, each person or couple had a good grasp on life and then life had a grip on them. When Mike Tyson was asked by a reporter whether he was worried about Evander Holyfield and his fight plan he answered; “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Sometimes life punches us in the mouth. 

Point:

The Israelites in the story, although real, serve as a symbol for all of humanity. You and I would have done the exact same thing. You have to remember that these poor slaves did not know what it meant to be free. You and I have been walking with God for our entire lives. These people were just being reintroduced to YHWH. In their eyes, God had not been around for 500 years and now they were just supposed to trust Him. 

Point:

the Bible is filled with people who struggle with doubt, disbelief, discouragement, and down right fear. The Israelites were afraid that they were going to die of thirst. We have the benefit of hindsight. They didn’t. Put yourself in their shoes. You are in a dessert. No water to be found. Not even a drop. You have children, babies to feed. What are you going to do. Panic of course. 

Here is another example, King David. David wrote this when he was running from King Saul and he felt like everyone in the world was after him and was against him. He starts in Psalm 56, saying, “Be merciful unto me O God for man would swallow me up. His fighting daily oppresses me.” We have some oppression going on in our world right now. We see fighting between family members, fighting in our streets, fighting in our churches, wars, and rumors of wars. All of these things are going on, and it feels like sometimes the enemy is going to swallow us up, and honestly, that is what he wants to do. David goes on to say this: “My enemies would daily swallow me up for they are many that fight against me.” David is being honest before God about his journey. He’s not in self pity or being whiny; he’s just telling God that things are getting pretty difficult for him. Then he goes on in verse three to say, “What time I am afraid I will trust in thee.” It’s the moment when we’re afraid, when we’ve given in to fear, we’re struggling, we’re hurting, or maybe we don’t understand some of the events that are going on. Or maybe we’re looking to God and saying, “I’m nervous, I’m concerned, I’m scared of the future for my kids or our society.” In that time, we really can and need to be honest and vulnerable before God. When David wrote this Psalm, he was hiding in a cave while he was running for his life. But he still said at that moment, “I will put my trust in you, God.”

Point:

So, how can you trust God, even when you are afraid? Stop trying to operate under your own limited power. God knows our weaknesses, He knows our hearts. Come to God vulnerable, open to His help, and confess your inadequacy. 

Psalm 56:2 KJV

“Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.”

How Can We Trust God When We Are Fearful?

I. Fight Fear By Being Vulnerable

II. Fight Fear By Seeing Value In Difficult Days

Point:

Now put yourself in Moses’ place. At every turn people are grumbling. Angry. Cantankerous. Belligerent. Maybe Moses, in his heart was wondering why God put him in this position. I wonder sometimes if Moses ever asked, “God why did you do all of these great things to let us starve or die of thirst in the desert”. Have you ever wondered what benefit cancer brings? Have you ever asked God how a child’s passing brings a benefit to anyone? 

I’ll be honest with you, I have. 

Illustration:

On October 26th, Cole Ellis, an 8th grader attending the high school I graduated from, Trinity Presbyterian School, committed suicide. Cole and I were supposed to go hunting together that next weekend. We had just had a fellowship at his house a couple of Sunday’s before. I was eating breakfast with a group of men when I got the call on my cell phone. Cole was gone and the family wanted me to come and sit with them. When I arrived at their house, Cole’s father Mike was weeping the front yard. His mother Rebecca sat silently. She was in shock. I had no idea what to do. My first question was why. Why God? Why this, why today, why this family? What good will come from this? In my heart I just knew that good coming from this event was impossible. 

Thankfully I was wrong. While Cole’s life ending was tragic, he was a believer in Christ. As a pastor I believe that we are not defined by our mistakes, even the horrible tragic ones. Every person will die in their sin, just like Cole. Thankfully we are defined by our death but we are defined by Christ’s resurrection. His power over the grave. Cole’s life ended prematurely sure, but he is still alive and his life is still leaving a massive mark today. 

We held a worship service the night of Cole’s death. Hundreds of teenagers came. We had an alter call, invited anyone there to come to Christ. We had more than 60 teenagers give their lives to Christ that night. I will never forget it. There is a house in Haiti named Cole’s House that houses orphans. There is the Cole Ellis Foundation that is responsible for so many people coming to Christ. 

You see, I was afraid that Cole’s death might deter people from coming to Christ. The opposite happened. What Satan meant for harm God used for hope and healing.  

Point:

You the people of Israel were afraid, thinking that they were going to die of thirst in the desert. However God used their difficulty as a megaphone for His miracle. Maybe you are going through a trial, a hardship of some sort and you are doubting that God can bring good from it. If that’s you today, don’t worry. God has a plan for your pain. Your suffering will not be wasted. 

Point:

There are times of peace, beauty, and comfort, but that is not when the rubber meets the road. That is not the time when we actually have to put our faith into practice. It’s when we have to walk through fear and practice overcoming it that we grow and are strengthened in our spirit; when we stand on our faith through trials and difficulties. In the times when fear comes suddenly, like when we hear a crash in the middle of the night and we choose to say: “No, I am going to put my trust in you, God,” that’s when we need to buckle down with all of the scriptures that we have and declare that we are going to absolutely trust God’s Word over all else.

Psalm 56:4 ESV

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

III. Fight Fear By Focusing Your Vision On Christ Instead of Yourself

Point:

Sometimes we have to get past our pride and arrogance in thinking that we can do this on our own. We may try to force our way through it. But when we repent for not coming to our Father with it first, we can snuggle in under His wing once again.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will strengthen you.” In those moments when we feel weak and tired, He says, “Im going to strengthen you, don’t be afraid because I’ve got your back.” Then it says, “I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will hold you up with my right hand.” He is going to uplift us and carry us through. If we are depressed, distressed, or oppressed, those words are life-giving. Those words can save you!

Point:

Imagine if the people would have just had faith in the desert. Imagine if they would have just kept their eyes on God. Again, the people of Israel are sadly just like you and me. We are so easily distracted by our problems and pain. Their situation reminds me of Paul. 

Are you aware that Paul found himself in a pretty bad way later on in his life. He had been stricken with a “thorn in this flesh”. Scholars and theologians have debated over the years what he meant by those words. Some think it was epilepsy or some other disease. Ive even heard that he could have had leprosy. Who knows? He begged God to take away the disease. Three times in fact. So horrible was this thorn that Paul claims it was delivered to him by a messenger of Satan. Life can feel like that sometimes can’t it. Just horrible dibilitiating pain. It is easy to focus on that frustration. Listen to what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT

7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Did you see what Paul did? Paul did not try to hide his pain or minimize his suffering. He was afraid but he was also vulnerable. Next Paul understood that there was a plan for the pain. To keep Paul from becoming conceited or boastful, God was using this thorn to spurn humility in Paul’s spirit. Paul saw value from the hardship, from the trials and difficulties. God was doing something great even if it meant suffering. Lastly, Paul, in the midst of fear, focused not on himself but on Christ. He kept his eyes of Christ. 

Listen to what Hebrews 12:2-4 says,

Hebrews 12:2-4 CEV

2  We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God's throne! 3 So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up.4 None of you have yet been hurt in your battle against sin.

Illustration:

I remember my Dad teaching me to drive. He constantly reminded me to look ahead, focus on where I want to go. Don’t look directly in front of the car. If I look too close in front of me, I don’t have enough time to react to dangers or changes on the road.

It’s a good illustration for the Christian life. When I’m so focused on the immediate situation I’m in, I tend to react rather than rest in Jesus. I panic and swerve and try to recover. Usually, I fumble and fail and make things worse. It’s stressful – not only for me, but for those around me!

But when I look to Jesus, I see who He is in my circumstances. Rather than focusing on myself or what’s right in front of me, I get an eternal perspective and remember the big picture. This is about more than me. It’s about Him. And He is faithful. He is good. He is in control. He can handle this!

Point:

Look to Jesus. Don’t become so absorbed in your own weariness and circumstances that you forget who He is, what He’s done, what He can and will do.

Isaiah 41:10 TLB

“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

If You Are Afraid, Good News! God Will Not Abandon You!