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Written by Larry Ollison

Luke 12:32 says, "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Most of the time when I've heard teaching on this scripture, the emphasis is on how God takes pleasure in giving us the kingdom. I agree that this is a great teaching. In fact, I often tell God, "Make Yourself happy!"

Let's take a look at the command in the first part of this verse, "Do not fear." Fear is not from God. Fear is from the devil. As Christians we are commanded, "Do not fear."

Once, after teaching a lesson on fear, a gentleman approached me and told me that it was impossible for him to live without fear. When I asked him why, his response was, "There is so much around me every day that looks like impending disaster, that I am in a constant state of worry. You would be too, if you had to look at the circumstances I see daily."

One of this man's major problems in getting rid of fear is that he was not operating in faith. Let me explain. Faith will eliminate fear. Fear is based on what we see and what we hear. Faith is based on what God says and what we believe. If we truly believe God's Word, then it would be impossible for fear to enter our minds or our hearts.

Psalm 34:19 says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all."

Yes, we know that afflictions do come against the righteous of God. However, our faith is not to be in the affliction, but in the deliverance. Actually, our faith is in the Deliverer Himself.

If you know that God said He would deliver the righteous, and if you know that you are the righteous, and if you know that God doesn't lie, then why in the world would you fear? The only room that fear has to work in is the empty space where faith should be. In with the faith and out with the fear!

Source: Life is in The Blood by Larry Ollison
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries