Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 13
Saturday


THE FIGHT
AGAINST FEAR

READ:
Hebrews 2:9-18
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Though I walk through
the valley of the
shadow of death, I will
fear no evil; for You are
with me. __Psalm 23:4
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In his landmark book The Denial of Death, author and anthropologist Ernest Becker argues that all of our anxieties and fears are rooted in our dread of death. Although Becker was not a Christ-follower, his scholarly study could serve as a commentary on Hebrews 2, which tells us that in our natural state we are subject to the fear of death throughout life (v.15).

We all know something about fear. And certainly the men and women we meet in the Bible were subject to fear; ranging from a mere tremor of anxiety all the way to terrifying panic. But there is never a need to panic, even in the face of death. Our Lord has experienced death and conquered it!

The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus "was made a little lower than the angels,... that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone" (2:9). Through His death Christ has defeated "him who had the power of death, that is, the devil," granting us our "release" from the "fear of death" (vv.14-15).

Are you victimized by your fears? Recall the wonderful, dread-dispelling promise of Scripture: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isa. 41:10). __ Vernon Grounds
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When I fear my faith will fail,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Christ will hold me fast;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~When the tempter would prevail,~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~He will hold me fast. __Habershon~~~~~~~~~~~~
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If you believe that Jesus lives,
you don't need to fear death.

*****************Today's Bible Reading __ Hebrews 2:9-18*********

9 But we see Jesus, who
was made a little lower than
the angels, for the suffering
of death crowned with glory
and honor, that He, by the
grace of God, might taste
death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting for
Him, for whom are all things
and by whom are all things,
in bringing many sons to
gory, to make the captain of
their salvation perfect
through sufferings. 11 For
both He who sanctifies and
those who are being
sanctified are all of one, for
which reason He is not
ashamed to call them
brethren, 12 saying: "I will
declare Your name to My
brethren; in the midst of the
assembly I will sing praise
to You." 13 and again: "I will
put MY trust in HIm." And
again: "Here am I and the
children whom God has
given Me."

14 Inasmuch then as the
children have partaken of
flesh and blood, He Himself
likewise shared in the same,
that through death He might
destroy him who had the
power of death, that is, the
devil, 15 and release those
who through fear of death
were all their lifetime
subject to bondage. 16 For
indeed He does not give aid
to angels, but He does give
aid to the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore, in all things He
had to be made like His
brethren, that He might be a
merciful and faithful High
Priest in things pertaining to
God, to make propitiation
for ths sins of the people.

18 For in that He Himself has
suffered, being tempted, He
is able to aid those who are
tempted.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

As Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, so the Lord Jesus
Christ has led the way to a heavenly inheritance (Heb. 2:10). The
salvation He provided was made "perfect" through the completion
of His suffeirngs on the cross. __HDF