1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
What fears do you have? “If people are afraid, it is because of something in the past that haunts them, or something in the present that upsets them, or something in the future that they feel threatens them. Or it may be a combination of all three. A believer in Jesus Christ does not have to fear the past, present, or future, for he has experienced the love of God, and this love is being perfected in him day by day.” The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. Warren W. Wiersbe. Rest in God’s love for you. Call on Him. You are in His presence.
David frequently felt all alone, but God delivered him each time as he committed his fears to Him. David had many battles, triumphs, and tragedies. But he was a man after God’s own heart. His son, Absalom, plotted against him and tried to kill him to gain David’s throne. Yet God prevailed as David was brought good news, that God had delivered up the men that had tried to kill David. Then, the bad news was communicated. David’s son, Absolum, who had led the rebellion against David, was killed, and David’s throne was restored. 2 Samuel 18:33 states, “The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept.” David was heartbroken. God had stopped his son’s evil intent by taking his life. In Psalm 3, 35, 40, and 59, David asks God to protect and deliver him from his enemies. Psalm 35:1-4 states, “Fight my enemies, LORD! Attack my attackers! Shield me and help me. Aim your spear at everyone who hunts me down, but promise to save me. Let all who want to kill me be disgraced.” Contemporary English Version. God answered that prayer of David’s. Any parent can understand David’s heartache and love he had for his son Absolum, despite him not deserving it.
Romans 8:15 declares, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba Father!” You can be bold in His love and perfected in that love. The Amplified Bible says 1 John 4:18 this way, “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love].” You are being perfected in God’s love. Ask Him to give you an understanding of what He desires you to do. God has given you a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (1 Timothy 1:17). Those fears you have. They are not from Him. Ask God to saturate you with the truth from His Word as you read it, memorize it, and pray through scripture promises. It will renew, permeate, and transform your mind. If you are a visual learner, as I am, journaling helps you to remember what the Holy Spirit is teaching you, guiding you, directing you, and helping you to go deeper into your study of Scripture. Penetrate your thoughts with truth from God’s Word and let it permeate, saturate, and cast out fears.
“Regardless of what the doctor may say, what the IRS may declare, or who wins the election – when you are sure of God’s love for you, you don’t have fear.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, 1 John 4:18, page 1630. Isn’t that timely? Permeate and saturate yourself in God’s love as you ask Him to fight your enemies, shield you, and rest in His abundant love as being His child (Romans 8:16).
Listen to I Speak Jesus – Charity Gayle (Lyrics) video.