Things that Go Bump in the Dark
| I must confess – as a child, I was afraid of the dark. I was especially afraid of things that go bump in the dark. A light in my bedroom would comfort me but my dad thought that it was unnecessary. At the time, we had a coal burning stove and occasionally I would have to go down the long dark path to the coal shed to fill the coal bucket in the middle of the night. I out ran the shadows and imaginary monsters in record time on my way back to the house. I still have a long scar on one arm from tripping over a hobgoblin. Surprisingly, I had no fear when my dad went with me and no monsters ever showed up. |
Perhaps you face fears of your own. Whether they are real or imaginary, the devil feeds on those fears. In Frank Peretti’s spellbinding book The Oath, he portrays a predator more terrifying than anything one can imagine. Satan has brought mankind under the grip of unspeakable evil. When Adam and Eve rebelled and disobeyed God, sin unleashed the devil’s Pandora’s Box of darkness, destruction, and death. Ever since the fall, fear has dominated the human race and “fear has torment” (I John 4:18).
What are some of the fears that we face? How can we have victory over the darkness?
First – FEAR OF DEATH is common to all. Sin brought spiritual and physical death upon the human race. Jesus came to deliver us from the fear of death. He died on the cross for our sins and arose victorious over death, hell, and the grave. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and release those who through fear were all their life time subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NKJV). Faith in Jesus releases you from the fear of death. (Romans 6:23; Luke 23:39-43)
Second – FEAR OF DARKNESS. Why does evil seem to be more prevalent at night? Darkness is the absence of light. Where the light is there is no darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Light and darkness are the same to God. There is no fear of the darkness of evil when you know the Lord is with you always. (Psalm 23; 139:11-12)
Third – FEAR OF THE FUTURE. Baseball legend Yogi Beara said, “A guy ought to be very careful in making predictions, especially about the future.” The One who conquered death and the devil assured us, “Let not your heart be troubled . . . believe also in me . . . In My Father’s house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you . . . I will come again” (John 14).
Fourth – FEAR OF THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE DARK. One night the disciples found themselves on the Sea of Galilee during a fierce storm. Their ship was about to sink. Jesus came to them walking on the water. They screamed in fright thinking he was ghost. Jesus said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:25-27). Jesus got in the boat with them and calmed the storm. When Jesus is with you there should be no fear. He is the Master over Satan and storms of the soul and circumstances that rage around us. Trust Him. Jesus is Lord. (Psalm 23; Matthew 28:18; James 4:7-8)
Fifth – THE FEAR OF FAILURE. God has a purpose and a glorious future for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) The Apostle Paul knew the peace of committing his all to God. (II Timothy 1:12) Do you have that peace?
Fear can only defeat you when one on three things are lacking – faith, hope, and love. (I Corinthians 13:13) The Word of God tells us that “Perfect love casts out all fear” (I John 4:7-19) Have you experienced God’s love? “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
by: Cliff Sanders