WHEN GOD IS NEAR, YOU LOSE YOUR FEAR

Noah was a righteous man… he walked in close fellowship with God. Genesis 6:9 (NLT)

Noah built the ark in faith. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before (Hebrews 11:7). How could Noah believe the things that had never happened before would actually take place? He believed because he knew how to hear from God. Do you want to hear from God? You can’t hear God with the TV on. You can’t hear God when you are listening to your iPod or the radio. You can’t hear God when your mind is filled with a thousand distractions. You have to get alone with God and be quiet. God says: Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10). Just sit quietly with your Bible, and pray: God is there anything you want to say to me? Then read God’s message and talk with God about what’s on your heart. You hear God by getting near God. Scripture refers to this as walking in close fellowship with God (Genesis 6:9). When you walk with God you will go in God’s direction and pace, not your own. What is the result of walking with God? You fear nothing. The Psalmist said: The Lord is my shepherd… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (Psalm 23:4). Why does he or she fear no evil? Because the shepherd is leading. When God is near, you lose your fear. Are you fearful about your future or your finances? Are you fearful about your marriage or your health? Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8). The more your life is filled with the love of God, the less fear you will have in your life. Love and fear cannot operate in the same heart at the same time. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).