Today's meditation is on 1 John 4:18. We also jump around to some other verses:
This is different than fear of the Lord:
"from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him" Ps 103:17
Fear of man/evil/circumstances is the one to avoid:
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." Ps 118:6-9
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Ps 23:4-5
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."John 14:27
"Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded." Isaiah 54:4
"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass." Isaiah 51:12
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." Ps 46:1-3
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" Romans 8:15
Faith and fear are opposites:
"And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Mark 4:40
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Tim 1:7
Why have faith?
"You will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you." Lev 26:5-8
"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord." Jer 1:8
"When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. ...For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deut 20:1-4
Isaiah 41:10-14:
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
all who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand
And says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel.
for I myself will help you," declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel."