The Lord our God is infinite in wisdom and knowledge. From the bounty of His infinite knowledge, God has revealed events that are occurring today. It is difficult for some people to understand God’s infinite wisdom and knowledge. Just because God knows what is going to happen does not mean that God causes everything that happens. Many people are asking if God has brought on all of these perilous events. You need to know that our God is a good God. He is not the author of evil, but good. In His mercy and great grace, God has warned us of the spirit of this world that is working in the children of disobedience. To help us in perilous times of great fear, God has told us where evil comes from.
Jesus told us, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10).
He constantly made a distinction between the good Father and the evil spirit of the thief.
As Jesus was preparing to ascend back to the Father in heaven, He wanted to prepare believers for perilous times of great fear that would come. The Lord wanted all believers to thrive in the power of the Holy Spirit and be His representatives in perilous times of great fear. To prepare them for what was to come, He told them that they needed what God was going to give them. During His last message, He told them to wait for the Promise of the Father and they would be given power to be His witnesses.
Acts 1:8 NKJV But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
There are several words in the Greek and Hebrew language for power, energy, or ability. This word “power” is from the word “dunamis.” It means to have the ability to perform some specific function. This power would equip them to live without timidity or fear.
The Apostle Paul was a spiritual father to Timothy.
Timothy had a spiritual legacy that was passed down to him from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Both of these Godly women had genuine and great faith. Tests and perilous times brought Timothy to tears and challenged his obedience to the faith. A spirit of fear gripped him and incapacitated his ministry and testimony. Paul reminded Timothy of things we need to remember when we face perilous times of great fear.
Listen to what he says in 2 Timothy 1.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
In the last days, we need to stir up the gift of God. The prophet Joel said the last days would be a time of another great out pouring of the Holy Spirit.
When the Holy Spirit abides in us, we receive three things.
These three things have a direct impact against the spirit of fear that is prevalent in the children of disobedience.
First, when the Holy Spirit is stirred up in us, God will give us power.
The word for power here is dunamis. This power and ability to be strong comes from God. This is not power that comes from special abilities or education. This is power from God. God has given “power” for perilous times. This power is a God-given gift that enables us to live with a certain testimony. It is power to live in the victory that overcomes the world. This power is God’s gift to believers. It is power that comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Listen to the remainder of this paragraph.
The Apostle Paul tells how he was able to face perilous times of great fear.
2 Timothy 1:8 NKJV Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
This is God’s power that is given by the Holy Spirit to enable us to stand in the face of perilous times of suffering and uncertainty. This great gift of God is given to equip us to stand strong in the evil day and perilous times.
2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
2 Timothy 1:10-11 NKJV but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
For every Timothy that is in the house today, this is God’s message and gift.
2 Timothy 1:7 “God has not given us a spirit of fear.”
The fear that is prevalent in the world is not from God.
God has given us power to overwhelm fear through the Holy Spirit.
This power conquers temptations, circumstances and enables us to live a godly life. This power is the ability to keep standing in the evil day. Even if the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy, God has given us power to stand strong against the roaring lion of perilous times. When your circumstances are filled with uncertainty and unresolved or undefined situations, we know and are fully persuaded that God is able to keep us. When we feel inadequate for the challenge before us, He gives us His power so that we can continue to stand.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The second thing that God has given us for perilous times of great fear is love. Love is more powerful than some people think.
1 John 4:18–19 NKJVThere is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
Did you know that love was that powerful?
Why is love able to cast out fear?
1 John 4:16 NKJV “He who abides in love abides in God.”
If you want boldness, courage and faith, you need to draw close to God.
The Lord our God is Almighty. He is Holy. Every evil thing that arises must bow before the Lord our God. When you are settled in the love of God, you know that God makes all things work together for our good.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
When you immerse yourself in the presence of God, you are made victorious in His victory.
James 1:12 NLT God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
When perilous times of great fear arise, draw near to God.
He is the God of all goodness, mercy and grace. In His presence is fullness of joy. At His right hand are mercies forevermore. In the dark days of perilous times we need to ask: “Has His mercy ceased? Has His promise failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious?” (Psalms 77)
Psalm 103:8 CEV The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient, and His love never fails.
We have assurance because of God’s love.
The Lord your God has the remedy for the perilous times of great fear.
- His love is unconditional love.
- His love is inexpressible love.
- His love is boundless love.
When we are committed to the Lord our God, He goes before us into the things He has prepared for us. God has plans for you to inherit everything that Jesus Christ paid for. He gave this promise to Moses to give to those who came after him.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.
That word is still powerful for believers today. God has prepared wonderful things for you in Christ Jesus. As a result of Christ’s victory, you have been blessed.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The third thing that God has given us is a SOUND MIND.
The word for “sound mind” means the ability to have good judgment or to make right decisions. Have you noticed that in perilous times of great fear that it is almost impossible to make right decisions? One of the great benefits of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a renewed mind or the mind of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wanted His followers to receive the Holy Spirit so they would have the power to do what God wanted them to do.
One of our greatest challenges in life is to make right decisions.
Romans 8:14 NASB95 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
When the spirit of fear reigns in our lives, we cannot make right decisions. Satan is constantly attempting to stir up the spirit of fear. He does it by stealing, killing and destroying. The Apostle Paul was encouraging Timothy to stir up the gift of the Spirit and think right.
When perilous times of great fear arise, God’s remedy on the inside for that fear is a SOUND MIND.
We need a sound mind to give mental and emotional stability. The spirit of fear will play with our mind and emotions.
When troubles and fear arise, we need to turn to the Lord God Almighty for our help.
Psalm 121:1-3 NKJV I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
I know where my help comes from.
When perilous times of great fear arise, stir up the strength and power that God has given us.
Ephesians 1:19-21 NLT I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Our power to conquer perilous times of great fear comes from the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. I want to encourage your faith today.
Isaiah 43:2 NLT When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:5 NLT Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
