Driven By Fear

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“Saul replied, ‘I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle’” (1 Samuel 13:11, NLT).

Insight
Fear can be a powerful motivator. It can effect decisions and impact the future. It can cloud judgment and press people to act contrary to what is known to be right and good. Fear’s tactic is to draw attention to what surrounds a person and make predictions pointing to likely doom ahead. Believers must guard themselves from being driven by fear.
In First Samuel 13:7 – 14 Saul was driven by fear. He faced a looming war with the Philistines. His soldiers were in a tight spot and “were hard pressed by the enemy” (13:6). So they hid in caves, holes cisterns and thickets because “they were trembling with fear” (13:7). Looking around, Saul realized his troops were “rapidly slipping away” (13:8) and scattering from him. The Philistines were ready to march!
Driven by fear, Saul breaks God’s law (Deut 12:5 – 14) and Samuel’s specific instructions (1 Samuel 10:8) demanding “’Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!’ And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself” (13:9). He took matters into his own hands and disobeyed God. He did a good thing (offering a sacrifice to God before a crucial battle), but in a wrong way. His fear drove him to act foolishly. Furthermore, his fear based decision and action cost him the kingdom (13:14).
Is fear driving you? Is it pointing to “evidences” all around you of impending doom and destruction? Guard yourself, your decisions and future!!! Fix your eyes on Jesus. Commit to following Him and refuse to give up hope. Don’t waver… stay fully convinced in Him (Rom 4:18 – 25).

Prayer
Father, I do not want to be driven by fear. Expose the fears that are behind my foolish decisions. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You. I refuse to give up hoping in You. In Jesus name, AMEN.