The Problem of Fear

Text: Deuteronomy 7:17-26
29 August 2017

THE PROBLEM OF FEAR

1. It is deep-seated

2. It can appear in many forms/ ways

a) Uncertainty
b) Anxiety
c) Doubt

FEAR OF BEING UNABLE TO CONQUER THE ENEMIES

1. Fear addressed

a) If you should say in your heart
b) These nations are greater than I
c) How can I dispossess them?   (Deuteronomy 7:17)

2. Conquering fears

a) You shall not be afraid of them
b) You shall remember well what the LORD your God did
i) To Pharaoh
ii) The great trials which your eyes saw
iii) The signs and wonders
i) The mighty hand of the LORD
ii) And the outstretched arm by which the LORD your God
brought you out.
iii) So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples
Of whom you are afraid.   (Deuteronomy 7:18-19)

3. Moreover

a) The LORD your God will send the hornet among them
They will hide… they will be destroyed   (Deuteronomy 7:20)
b) You shall not be terrified of them
The LORD your God
The great and awesome God will be among you   (Deuteronomy 7:21)

4. GOD’S PLANS DISCLOSED

a) And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you
little by little
b) You will be unable to destroy them all at once
c) Lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you
(Deuteronomy 7:22)
d) But the LORD your God will deliver them to you
And you will inflict defeat upon them
Until they are destroyed   (Deuteronomy 7:23)
e) And He will deliver their kings into your hand
And you will destroy their name from under heaven
No one shall be able to stand against you
Until you have destroyed them   (Deuteronomy 7:24)
f) You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire
You shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them,
Nor take it for yourselves; lest you be snared by it;
For it is an abomination to the LORD your God   (Deuteronomy 7:25)
g) Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house,
Lest you be doomed to destruction like it.
You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it,
For it is an accursed thing.   (Deuteronomy 7:26)