Before you answer the following question, stop and give it some serious consideration and thought. The question: What do you fear? If you said, “nothing,” are you really sure about that?
In Job 1:8 we find God’s estimation of the man Job. We read in that verse, “Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who reverences God and shuns evil.’” Yet even with all his virtues Job was not without fear. Note what is recorded in Job 1:4-5, ” His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
{5} When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom.”
Job’s point of vulnerability to fear came in relation to his children. When given a green light by God to attack, where did Satan attack? The place where Job was vulnerable due to fear, the place where his thoughts and beliefs provided a negative reap what you sow possibility. Notice what he said in Job 3:25-26, “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. {26} I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” To Job’s credit, he did not blame God for what took place. In Job 1:22 we read, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
Napoleon Hill in the 1925 Edition of “The Law of Success” writes, “Fear is the chief reason for poverty and failure and misery that takes on a thousand different forms . . . . The man who masters fear may march on to successful achievement in practically any undertaking, in spite of all efforts to defeat him.”
With all the challenges which came into Job’s life he demonstrated the qualities necessary to be successful, in spite of all efforts to defeat him. We read in Job 42:12, “The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” Job’s health was restored, he had 10 more children and lived long enough to see four generations of his family. His wealth was also double what it had been before his losses.
So, let me ask you again. What do you fear? Identify the fears so you can take action to eliminate points of vulnerability. Do not consciously leave any opportunities for the enemy to use against you. As the Apostle Paul admonishes us in Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. {11} Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. {12} For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. {13} Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. {14} Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, {15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. {16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. {17} Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. {18} And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”