Did you know that, “fear not” is said by Jesus fifteen times in different ways? Did you also know, “be not afraid” is said by Jesus eight times in different ways? The word “fearful” (in the sense it should not to be so) is said by Jesus five times. Just as the word “feared” (as not to) is said by Jesus three times. David said in Psalm 118.6— “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Ezra 3.10 tells us it was David who wrote this song, and it was sang at the opening of the Temple. One of the most famous places anything with this theme is recorded in scripture is Hebrews 13.6— “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
It says straight up: “…I will not fear…” This has been quoted many times. People regularly put it on their walls, on their t-shirts, and on their social media. A slogan from the Bible sounds good, but frankly, you need to know its meaning. It reminds me of tattoos with Chinese script. People think it looks ‘cool’, but as so often the case is, they have no earthly idea what it says. Hebrews 13.6 needs to be dissected especially if you’re going to get a tattoo. [kidding, not kidding] We need to know how someone gets to this point; how that one make a declaration like: “I will not fear” and it be real to them as a lifestyle. Equally important, we need to know how they can reverse the trend that got them where they’re at now. I can’t think of one person in my entire life who doesn’t need these answers.
Hebrews 13.6 says: “So that we may…”. Indicating that the previous verses are leading us into this verse. The last previous phrase is: “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13.5). Did you pick up on that phrase: “He hath said”? When did he “say” this? He said it to Abraham in Genesis 28.15; to Joshua in Joshua 1.5; it was quoted from Moses to Israel in Deuteronomy 31.6; Also quoted from David to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28.20; Quoted again from David to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 22.13. It is said a lot! It is thematic then. It’s God’s words to us. It makes the point: if He will never leave you, why would you be afraid? And further seeks the answer to: who can conquer God? Iin one of the quotes here mentioned it begs the question: who will out whit God?
It said: “…for he hath said…”, emphasizing the word “for” or because. So we have to look back again to verse 5 into the phrase before: “…be content with such things as ye have…”. Content emphasizes being satisfied. Satisfied with what? It says: “with such things” or with the present things. When it says: “being satisfied”, it means what it says. Not complicated, just not obeyed. In other words, there is no need for more. It is used most often in the first century for food. As in: ‘I pass’ due to being satisfied already. Hebrews 13.5 also says: “…and be content…”(emphasis on “and”)—so we have to look even further back to the phrase before that: “Let your conversation be without covetousness…” I love that word “conversation”. It usually means in the King James ‘manner of life’. That means every area, the totality of everything in your life’s scope. It is your modus operand. This is your conduct, mannerisms, purchases, speech, or life as a whole. And your life as a whole is to “…be without covetousness…” Which literally means ‘not fond of silver’. A desire for gain, or materialism, and where we get our word: “avaricious” or wanting material gain. So this is not just money, but things of all sorts of : “…such things…”. It also said: “let” or “let be”. What exactly? Let your whole life be “…without covetousness”. How? Live with simple contentment.
Scripture says in Psalm 23.1— “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Literal meaning here: I have no wants. Because I am satisfied in Him, my Shepherd. If you seek more and more—is He shepherding you, or are you shepherding you? It rots out our own confidence in Him. Our boldness fades. We no longer need His provisions. We drift to a place of no dependence on the Shepherd. When David wrote this he mentions in the text the areas of his life he was surrendering: food (pastures) and water (still waters). He was surrendering down to the most basic of survival elements. God provides. He is recognizing a conscious thought of it. Are you? Are you recognizing a conscience thought of it in this land of plenty? When we do, there will be real, activefruit of it.
Philippians 4.19 says: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Promise; ll needs; according to His riches. 1 Peter 2.25 states: “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” He brought us back to Himself to be taken care of. John 10.11: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Ultimate sacrifice! In giving us this…what wouldn’t He take care of? Isaiah 53.6 reads: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Apparently He can be your shepherd, but you can no longer depend on Him. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen a lot of that lately.
Can you, without any doubt, boldly say that: “Jehovah Raah” is my shepherd? Can you says with boldness, in the aggregate of your life: He is “My Master”? Is He your helper? Is He your supplier? Is He still your only Source? This was what the Spirit of Truth had the Apostle write here in Hebrews 13. So very glad God did. I need this encouragement, just as Timothy did in 2 Timothy 1.7— “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” As Hebrews says, all of this is written here: “so that we may boldly say.” So that we can say it with confident boldness: “The Lord is my helper.” A life of tangible dependence. A life of intentional dependence.
Be content brethren in this nasty generation. Be satisfied in Him alone. Be thankful for what God has done and is doing. Be dependent on Him again. There is peace in that. There is a lack of fear in that. There is a confidence found no where else, but in the person of Jesus, moment by moment on the daily.