Faith Over Fear

John 20:19 ESV

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

The disciples were not sure if the Jewish council would have them arrested and killed like they did to Jesus. So, for fear they kept themselves in hiding and the doors were locked where they stayed. Jesus had told them through Mary to have them meet Him in Galilee, but they did not move from where they were, fear still gripped their hearts and minds. As Jesus appeared to them, they even feared His presence, they thought it might be His ghost. Jesus says the words that we need to live by every day; “Peace be with you.” When Jesus is in the house, all should be at peace.

Sometimes we come into a place where we are frozen with fear. It may not be life and death as these men thought, but fear has a grip that is relentless. Fear can even keep us from praying the prayer of faith. These men had been with Jesus for three and a half years and still, they were gripped with fear. What makes us stronger is we have seen His power, and read His words, and we stand upon His promises. This morning, remember the power that raised Jesus from the dead, that same power lives within us this morning. If any are gripped with fear, hear the Master say, “Peace be with you.” Then let your faith overcome your fear, the Master is in the house!

Prayer:

Lord, as the enemy has come to kill, steal and destroy, You have come to give us life everlasting. You said in Your words, “Peace be with You,” that peace we receive today. The promise in 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. This morning we replace fear with the Spirit of power, love, and stable thinking. In Your name precious Savior, Amen!