Article: We shall Overcome.. Not by Fear but by Faith | Nibin Iype

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).Fear has spread all over the world even among believers. So I hope this is the right time to discuss how we can overcome fear..
1 John 4:18 New King James Version (NKJV)
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Yes, the solution to cast fear is by Perfect Love and that love is the Love of Jesus.
Psalm 91:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will [a]set him on high, because he has known My name.

As Bible reminds us in Psalms 91:14, God is there to deliver you from all anxiety and fear, if you set your faith on his love.
Psalms 91 is a beautiful song with great promises for those who abide under God’s protection. Many scholars have thought that Moses wrote this Psalm, but we cannot be sure about it. However, I personally believe that this psalm gives us more confidence in the Lord. As apostle Paul tells in Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
First 2 verses in Psalms 91 is the key verse for all the great promises mentioned in it. They are not for those who live as they please and try to use God only when danger or trouble comes. It is for people who are dwelling in the presence of the Almighty.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
We dwell in places where we are comfortable and lively and in one word its your home. Wherever you go, by the end of the day you will be in your home taking rest. Just like that a believer must rest or dwell in the secret place of the Lord and that is his Perfect Love. If you are confident and sure about his Love you can trust him whole heartedly.
Second verse starts by saying “I will say of the Lord”.. Yes, we have to say what we believe. Our Faith is Voice activated.
Romans 10:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mark 11:22,23 New King James Version (NKJV)
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
So whatever you believe you have to say and it will come to pass. That is the Basic law of faith: Hear, Believe, Confess and Act in faith.
Luke 1:38 New King James Version (NKJV)
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mother Mary received the word from the Angel, Believed and received it by faith. Then one of the biggest miracle world had occurred.
The woman with the issue of Blood did the same. She believed and confessed that if she touched the edge of Jesus Garment she would be saved.
Mark 5:25-29 New King James Version (NKJV)
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the [a]affliction.
Yes, you have to confess your faith. We have to tell that God will deliver us from this pandemic situation and he is there to deliver us and protect us throughout the journey. One person will have faith in another only if they have good personal relationship. For example, a wife trusts her husband blindly only when they have good personally relationship. Similarly, our faith will be strong only if we dwell in his Love.
Galatians 5:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Catalyst for faith is love. Always Faith, Love and Hope are interrelated. Faith can only work through Perfect Love of Jesus.
Ephesians 3:17-19 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
If you know the length, breadth and height of God’s love, you will have a stronger relationship with him and your confidence will boost to the maximum.
Thus fear can be overcome by faith.
Then we can say as the writer of the Psalm 46 says
Psalm 46 New King James Version (NKJV)
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

Yes, whatever happens in the world we will not fear. If we know Jesus personally, we can say even though the mountains be carried into the midst of sea, I won’t be moved.
Psalm 91:3 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the [a]fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.

The word “Surely” clearly shows the confidence in the Lord. There Fear has no place at all. This strong faith makes the writer to continue saying that God will cover him under his protection.
Psalm 91:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and [a]buckler.

Just as a bird protects its children from rain, thunder and other dangers, God is there as your shield and buckler. The writer says “His truth” shall be your shield and buckler. Yes, Jesus-the way, the truth and the Life is our shield. Nothing can stand against you.
The study of the initial books of the Bible, the Pentateuch or the Torah, believed to be written by Moses gives us foundational understanding about God’s ways, His character, love and relationship with man.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1

The earth was void and without form and deep, filled with darkness – which means, there was nothing but darkness, without life.

At such a place the Spirit of God hovered over.

When we look through the original Hebrew word “rachaph” which means to flutter or move, we get the understanding that The Holy Spirit Hatched over – like a mother hen hatches over to produce new life.

The same word “rachaph” is used in Deuteronomy 32:11 “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings.. so the Lord alone did lead them”

Here we see the mother like nature of God here, as the Holy Spirit hovers/hatches over the earth to create life out of nothing; covering the earth with gentle love and care as an eagle flutters over her young with utmost care.

If you are facing emptiness and void in any area of your life, if things look absolutely dark and hopeless, allow the Holy Spirit to hover over the situation. God’s gentle love and care would restore everything that was lost and bring life and healing.

Fifth and Sixth verse is very relevant in today situation.
Psalm 91:5,6 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

All the invisible dangers that comes across your life cannot touch you as you are under his shadow. Corona virus has brought fear but Word of God will make you on Fire.
Psalm 91:7-13 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall [a]bear you up,
Lest you [b]dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Yes all these promises are for the believers who abide under Gods protection and is ready to Confess the faith. If you are ready to do this then Lord himself will double confirm by saying that he will deliver us as writer explains in psalm 91:14-16
Psalm 91:14-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With [b]long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Conclusion :

We can admit to God that we are wrong and come back to our dwelling place. Just like the Parodical son renewed his mind(Luke15:17-18), we can take a “U TURN” in life and abide under God’s Perfect Love.

Declaration:
Father thank you for always keeping me under your wings gently covered in your Love, in Christ Jesus. I believe and confess that I can overcome the current situation with the help of God.
Amen

Nibin Iype