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Day 144

Psalm 53:5a "There they are in great fear where no fear was..."

Day 144 – Psalm 53

“There they are in great fear where no fear was…” Psalm 53:5a

THE POWER OF POSITIVE FEAR

Fear is well described as a primal feeling. Nobody can explain why fear exists. Fear in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Fear can have positive influence and produce positive effects. The Scriptures speak of a healthy “fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7; 2:5 etc).

THE POWER OF NEGATIVE FEAR

Fear can also produce very negative results. Those who are gripped by negative fear are well-described in the following text.

“There they are in great fear
Where no fear was.
For God has scattered the bones of him
who encamps against you;
You have put them to shame,
Because God has despised them.”
Psalm 53:5

1. “There they are in great fear when no fear was”

a) There is a nameless dread and fear in most people.
b) If people believed in themselves and their own powers, fear should have been ruled out.
c) Nevertheless fear stalks and fear expresses itself:-
i) In superstition;
ii) In unexpressed emotional and mental affliction.

2. “For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you”

a) Israel feared its enemies because they always sought to destroy.
b) But Israel need not be afraid for God Himself would personally destroy the enemy.
c) He would scatter the bones of all enemies.

3. “You have put them to shame, because God has despised them”

a) The powerful and proud enemies are put to shame.
b) These who defy the God of Israel has found that the God Most High has despised them.