I Samuel 16

LORD sends Samuel to Bethlehemverse 1

And the LORD said to Samuel

How long will you mourn for Saul

seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?

Fill your horn with oil and go

I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite

FOR I have provided ME a king among his sons

Samuel afraid of Saulverses 2-3

And Samuel said

How can I go? If Saul hear it he will kill me

And the LORD

said

Take an heifer with you – and say

I am come to sacrifice to the LORD

And call Jesse to the sacrifice – and I will show you what you shall do

and you shall anoint to ME him whom I name to you

Samuel anoints David as the next kingverses 4-13

And Samuel did that which the LORD spoke and came to Bethlehem

and the elders of the town trembled at his coming

and said Come you peaceably?

And he said

Peaceably – I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD

sanctify yourselves – and come with me to the sacrifice

and he sanctified Jesse and his sons

and called them to the sacrifice

And it came to pass – when they were come – that he looked on Eliab

and said

Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him

BUT the LORD said to Samuel

Look not on his countenance – or on the height of his stature

BECAUSE I refused him

FOR the LORD sees not as man sees

FOR man looks on the outward appearance

BUT the LORD looks on the heart

Then Jesse called Abinadab – and made him pass before Samuel

and he said

Neither has the LORD chosen this

then Jesse made Shammah to pass by

and he said

Neither has the LORD chosen this

Again Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel

and Samuel said to Jesse

The LORD has not chosen these

And Samuel said to Jesse

Are here all your children?

And he said

There remains yet the youngest – and behold – he keeps the sheep

And Samuel said unto Jesse

Send and fetch him – FOR we will not sit down till he come hither

And he sent – and brought him in

now he was ruddy and withal of a beautiful countenance

and goodly to look to

And the LORD said

Arise – anoint him – for this is he

THEN Samuel took the horn of oil

and anointed him in the midst of his brethren

and the Spirit of the LORD came on David from

that day forward

So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah

Spirit of the LORD departed from Saulverse 14

But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul

and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him

Servants suggest a musician to help Saulverses 15-16

And Saul’s servants

said to him

BEHOLD now an evil spirit from the God troubled him

Let our lord now command your servants – which are before you

to seek out a man – who is a cunning player on an harp

and it shall come to pass

when the evil spirit from God is on you

that he shall play with his hand

and you shall be well

David come to be Saul’s musicianverses 17-18

And Saul

said to his servants

Provide me now a man that can play well

and bring him to me

Then answered one of the servants

and said

BEHOLD – I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite

that is cunning in playing – a mighty valiant man

a man of war – prudent in matters – a comely person

the LORD is with him

David comes to the court of Saulverses 19-20

Wherefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said

Send me David your son

which is with the sheep

And Jesse took an ass laden with bread – and a bottle of wine

and a kid – and sent them by David his son unto Saul

Saul wanted David to stayverses 21-23

And David came to Saul – and stood before him

and he loved him greatly

and he became his armor-bearer

And Saul sent to Jesse

saying

Let David – I pray you – stand before me

FOR he has found favor in my sight

And it came to pass – when the evil spirit from God was on Saul

that David took a harp – and played with his hand

so Saul was refreshed – and was well

and the evil spirit departed from him

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 2 And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with your, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. (2026 “kill” [harag] means slay, to cause to die, murder, ruin, ruthless violence, or slaughter)

DEVOTION: Samuel has the right kind of fear. He knows what would happen if he went on a trip and Saul found out the real reason for the trip. So what does he do? He takes his fear to the LORD and asks what he should do.

The LORD gives him an answer that would be acceptable to Saul and to the people in the village of Bethlehem. He is to go to the village to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. It is part of his job description. There should be no problem.

We need to realize that even prophets were concerned about being killed. This was a good prophet that the LORD was instructing on how to travel properly. Some of us have occasions to travel to places that might cause a believer a problem if they are trying to go into a country to witness for the LORD.

We have a board member who travels in countries that don’t like the Bible and he is carrying Bibles with him to help those in those countries to have the Word of God which we take for granted in this country.

Many of us have Bibles in every room of the house but don’t read them. Some people in other countries don’t have any Bibles. Some of them share a page from a Bible with each other until they can get another page.

When we serve the LORD there are times when we can have fear but we need to do what Samuel did. He took his fear to the LORD and the LORD gave him an answer on how to handle his fear and still serve HIM.

CHALLENGE: We need to learn how to handle our fears and serve the LORD and this will only happen if we take it to the LORD in prayer. HE will provide a way to do what we need to do with confidence.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature: because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. (7200 “looketh” [ra’ah] means to see, advise, appear, one upon another, regard, view, or visions)

DEVOTION: Do you ever wish you could see the hearts of the people around you? It would make it easier to know whether they were believers. It would help you know where they might need help in their spiritual development.

There is SOMEONE who can see these needs. The LORD looks at all aspects of the person. HE concentrates on the inner person. HE considers this more important than outward appearance. HE knows that people can fake others out by the way they look and by the way they talk.

Saul was no longer the LORD’S choice for leading HIS people. Samuel was to go and anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king. Samuel had anointed Saul when he saw his size. Saul was a head and shoulder taller than most of the Israelites.

Here we have the older sons of Jesse looking good to Samuel. The LORD makes this statement to Samuel. It is a statement that should reach the innermost part of our being. Too often we view the outward appearance of people. Some people make a good first impression with their speech and appearance. Some people don’t make a good first impression.

God has HIS own way of viewing people. HE sees what others do not see. We need to remember that the only one we really answer to is the LORD. God is more concerned with the heart of people. God wants us to see the innermost person in each individual we meet.

It takes time for us to see this part of a person. God wants us to concentrate on our inner man more than on our outward person. Both are important but the first is more important than the second. Too often people will view us either in a good manner or a bad manner but the important viewing is from the LORD. Praise the LORD!!!

David didn’t seem to make a good first impression on Samuel. However, the Word of God describes him as ruddy, beautiful countenance, and goodly to look at. God still knew that it would take time to develop David into a good king.

Note: We have to remember that the Holy Spirit would come on people in the Old Testament and leave them. Once the Holy Spirit left Saul the LORD allowed an evil spirit to enter him. God didn’t cause Saul to act sinfully. This circumstance caused Saul to need a musician. David was the musician Saul needed and loved David. The LORD was working HIS plan.

CHALLENGE: God is working out the details of our life. HE gave David special gifts, so that, he could be in the court of Saul to learn how to reign over Israel. HE gifts us for present and future service to HIM. Never doubt HIS work in our life. Nothing happens by chance!!!

: 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and wen tot Ramah. (4886 “anointed” [mashach] means painted, to smear with liquid, to administer an oil or ointment to, often in a religious ceremony of blessing or dedication or consecration)

DEVOTION: Here is the LORD picking the baby of the family to be the next king. Do you think that it would cause the older siblings to complain? We find out latter that it did. They were older and would think that they were a better fit to be the next king yet the LORD picked David and had Samuel anoint him in front of his whole family.

There was another family that didn’t like a brother who received special treatment from their father because he was the son of the woman he wanted to marry in the first place but this father-in-law tricked him. Sibling rivalry can be a real problem in many families. It should not happen in families that are servants of the LORD but it does.

The LORD wanted David to know that HE had a special position for him and that HE would provide the strength to do it. HE provided the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life. From the day that he was anointed as the next king of Israel he received the power of the Holy Spirit to work in his life.

From the day that we are called to be servants of the LORD we have the ministry of the Holy Spirit to help us. We will face many battles that without HIS help we would lose.

The LORD opened the door for David to be in the court of Saul to learn what it meant to be king of Israel. HE opens doors for each of us to serve HIM with the gifts HE has provided for us. We need to be available to go through the open doors the LORD sends our way.

David started out watching sheep for his family and ended watching sheep for the God of the universe.

CHALLENGE: Be prepared when the LORD opens a door for you to serve HIM wherever that may be.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold, now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. (1204 “troubles” [ba‘ath] means terrify, to fall upon, overwhelm, to be gripped by a terrible fear, frighten, suddenly come upon anyone, or startle.)

DEVOTION: There are two views presented regarding this “evil spirit from God.” One view is that the LORD took the Holy Spirit from Saul because of his disobedience to HIM. This is an Old Testament ministry of the Holy Spirit when HE can come on individuals and leave individuals. HE doesn’t do that in the New Testament as we are told that everyone who is a genuine believer has the Holy Spirit indwell them until the return of Christ or their death.

Genuine believers can grieve and quench the Holy Spirit but HE will never leave them but HE will use means to correct their behavior as stated in the communion passage in I Corinthians. The Old Testament gives testimony to the Holy Spirit indwelling and leaving individuals.

Once the Holy Spirit left Saul it is thought that an evil spirit which is a fallen angel could be allowed to enter into his life. God took HIS hand of protection away from Saul because of his sins. That allowed the evil spirit to enter into the life of Saul.

The second view is that this “evil spirit” was sent by the LORD as a judgmental spirit that would cause Saul these moments of distress. It is thought that this was not a demon or fallen angel but a good angel that caused him to have emotional problems. That would allow the LORD to send David into his court to play music but also learn what it meant to be a king over the children of Israel.

I seem to think that the first suggestion is the best. God had a protective hand on Saul until Saul turned his back on the LORD. Once someone in the Old Testament turns our backs on the LORD, they are open to the works of the devil. God is never evil but always good.

CHALLENGE: We need to keep short accounts with the LORD, so that, HE doesn’t have to send judgment into our life.

: 18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. (995 “prudent” [biyn] means to understand, see, to pay attention, able to comprehend meaning, examine, discern, distinguish, or realize.)

DEVOTION: Here is a good description of someone who seems to be perfect for the job that Saul was advertising for his needs. David was one that the LORD had blessed with many good traits.

He was willing to serve the LORD if there was a call to serve. That call came through Saul. It gave David an opportunity to see what happened in the capital of the nation. He was going to be right by the side of the king when he made decisions that affected every person in the nation.

So, David is chosen by God and without that knowledge he is chosen by Saul to come to the capital and serve the king. It was going to be a learning experience with the help of the Holy Spirit.

God is the one who opens and closes doors in our lives as well today. There is not a door that opens in the life of a believer that is either opened by the LORD or by the adversary. The devil likes to open doors in our lives as well. We need to realize this fact and make sure that we pray before we open any door that comes our way.

Some doors will get us closer to the LORD and some will cause us to draft away from the LORD. Saul had this problem while he was king. He allowed things to get in the way of what the LORD wanted for him. He made bad choices that caused him to lose the kingdom to David.

David came to Saul to help and at the same time learn what he could about ruling a nation. The Holy Spirit gave him discernment. We need the same discernment anywhere we go.

CHALLENGE: Ask the LORD to make us aware of the pitfalls of leadership and to help us not to fall into those pitfalls.

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Samuel talks with the LORDverses 1-3

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Sacrifice to the LORDverses 2, 5

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 1, 2, 4, 10, 12-14, 18

LORD provided a kingverse 1

LORD’S anointedverse 6

LORD told Samuel not to look

Countenance

Height of his stature

Man looks on outward appearance

LORD looks at the heartverse 7

God – Elohim (Creator)verses 15, 16, 23

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Spirit of the LORD rested on Davidverse 13

Spirit of the LORD departs from Saulverse 14

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Evil spirit enters Saulverses 14-16, 23

Evil spirit departedverse 23

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Killverse 2

Trembledverse 4

Looking on countenanceverse 7

Looking on height of statureverse 7

Looking on the outward appearanceverse 7

Evil spirit allowed of LORDverses 14-16, 23

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Anointedverses 3, 6, 12, 13

Obedience to the LORDverse 4

Sanctifyverse 5

Calledverse 5

Heart relationship with LORDverse 7

Chosenverse 8-10

Prudent in mattersverse 18

LORD is with himverse 18

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Samuelverse 1

Told to stop mourning for Saul

Fill horn with oil and go

Sent to household of Jesse

Anoint new king: David

Went to Ramah

Saulverses 1, 14-19

Rejected of LORD

Spirit of the LORD departed from

Evil spirit troubled him

Looked for cunning player of harp

Loved David greatly

Made David his armor bearer

Refreshed when David played

Israelverse 1

Jesse the Bethlehemiteverses 1, 5-13, 19, 22

Call him to sacrifice

Sanctified him and his sons

Seven sons pass by

Bethlehemverse 4

Elders of city trembled

Eliab – oldest son of Jesseverse 6

Abinadabverse 8

Shammahverse 9

Davidverses 11-13, 16-23

Ruddy

Beautiful countenance

Goodly to look at

Anointed

Cunning player on a harp

Mighty valiant man

Man of war

Prudent in matters

Comely person

LORD is with him

Saul’s armor bearer

Favor in sight of King Saul

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

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QUOTES regarding passage

16:14–23. As David was invested by the Spirit, that same Spirit left Saul. This is evidence of the fact that the presence or absence of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament says nothing about salvation but only that His power worked in those whom God selected for service (cf. Jud. 3:10; 6:34; 13:25; 14:6; 1 Sam. 10:10; 16:13).

With the departure of the Spirit of God, Saul became tormented by an evil spirit which God permitted to come (v. 14; cf. vv. 15–16; 18:10; 19:9). Whether this spirit had sinful or only harmful characteristics, it is quite certain that it was a demonic, satanic instrument (cf. Job 1:12; 2:6; 1 Kings 22:19–22). In his troubled state Saul could find relief only in music, so he commanded that a musician be found (1 Sam. 16:15–17). In His providence God arranged that David be the one, so the shepherd boy was introduced to the palace of the king (vv. 18–21). The Holy Spirit empowered David to drive away the evil spirit that overwhelmed Saul (v. 23). Harps had already been mentioned in connection with prophesying (10:5). Later Elisha, when seeking a revelation from the Lord, also requested that a harp be played (2 Kings 3:15). Also Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun prophesied with harps, lyres, and cymbals (1 Chron. 25:1). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 448). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

Ver. 23. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, &c.] See ver. 14, 15. though the word evil is not in the text here; wherefore Abarbinel thinks that this here was the spirit of God, which stirred up in him thoughts of divine things, put him in mind of what God had said, that he had rejected him from being king, and had rent the kingdom from him; and this tilled him with grief end trouble, and he became melancholy: that David took an harp, and played with his hands; upon it; and, as Josephus says, at the same time sung hymns and psalms; made use both of vocal and instrumental music: so Saul was refreshed, and was well; became cheerful, his grief was removed, his black and gloomy apprehensions of things were dispersed, and he was cured of his melancholy disorder for the present: and the evil spirit departed from him; at least for a while; he had his fits and intervals; of the effects of music in a natural way, see the note on ver. 16. though no doubt the music of David was more than natural, being attended with the power and blessing of God, in order to raise his fame and credit at court. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 496). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

16:23 and the harmful spirit departed from him. David is referred to as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Sam. 23:1) and as the author of several songs (2 Sam. 1:17–27; 22:1–51; 1 Chron. 16:7–36; see also Amos 6:5) and many psalms. He is also credited with establishing the temple musicians (1 Chron. 6:31). The music that David habitually played in Saul’s presence was not merely beautiful, but music of worship to the Lord, causing Saul to be refreshed and the harmful spirit to flee (cf. 2 Chron. 5:13–14). (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (pp. 518–519). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.)

FROM MY READING:

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

Humility does mean understanding that everything we are and everything we have has come to us as a gift. (p. 154, The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler)

The Hebrew word translated “evil” (Hb. rāʿâ) has a wide range of meanings from “misery” to “moral perverseness.” Thus, it is possible—and perhaps preferable—to interpret the text not to mean that the Lord sent a morally corrupt demon³⁵ but rather another sort of supernatural being—an angel of judgment (cf. 2 Kgs 19:35)—against Saul that caused him to experience constant misery. (Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 182). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers)

Without God’s empowering Holy Spirit, Saul was effectively no longer king over Israel (15:28), although his physical removal from the throne, and his death, happened many years later. an evil spirit. God, in His sovereignty, allowed an evil spirit to torment Saul (cf. Jdg 9:23; 1Ki 22:19–23; Job 1:6–12) for His purpose of establishing the throne of David. This spirit, a messenger from Satan, is to be distinguished from a troubled emotional state brought on by indwelling sin, or the harmful consequences of the sinful acts of others (e.g., spirit of jealousy, Nu 5:14). This demon spirit attacked Saul from without, for there is no evidence that the demon indwelt Saul. terrorized him. Saul, whose inward constitution was already prone to questionable judgment and the fear of men, began to experience God’s judgment in the form of severe bouts of depression, anger, and delusion, initiated and aggravated by the evil spirit assigned to him. There are several NT occasions where God turned people over to demons or Satan for judgment (see Ac 5:1–3; 1Co 5:1–7; 1Ti 1:18–20). He also used Satan or demons for the strengthening of the saints. See Job 1:1–2:6; Mt 4:1ff.; Lk 22:31, 32; 2Co 12:7–10. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Sa 16:14). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

The suggestion seemed reasonable to Saul, and he immediately ordered a search for “someone who plays well” (v. 17). But even before a search party could be organized, an unnamed royal servant suggested that they seek “a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp” (v. 18). This individual—David—had numerous other qualifications that befit a person who would serve as a royal aide. Militarily, “he is a brave man and a warrior”; socially, “he speaks well”; physically, he “is a fine-looking man”; and spiritually, “the Lord is with him.” The mention of this last trait puts David in company with Isaac, Joseph, Joshua, and Samuel (cf. Gen 26:28; 39:2–3, 21, 23; Josh 6:27; 1 Sam 3:19). (Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 183). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

Deuteronomy 6
Moses exhorts the Israelites to obey the greatest commandment.

INSIGHT

There are three keys to sharing your faith with someone else. First, it must be real in your life. Moses said the words must be in your “heart,” not just your “head.” Second, we must impart truth and information. That is, we must teach diligently. Finally, this truth must penetrate every corner of our lives. We must talk of it when we lie down and when we rise up.

We rarely fool anyone, and if one of these keys is missing in our lives, we will not make an impact on others. We must know the truth, it must be real to us, and it must permeate our daily lives. (QuietWalk)

Strengthened by Grace

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

During the American Civil War, the penalty for desertion was execution. But the Union armies rarely executed deserters because their commander-in-chief, Abraham Lincoln, pardoned nearly all of them. This infuriated Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, who believed that Lincoln’s leniency only enticed would-be deserters. But Lincoln empathized with soldiers who had lost their nerve and who had given in to their fear in the heat of battle. And his empathy endeared him to his soldiers. They loved their “Father Abraham,” and their affection led the soldiers to want to serve Lincoln all the more.

When Paul calls Timothy to join him in “suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3), he calls him to a tough job description. A soldier is to be completely dedicated, hard-working, and selfless. He’s to serve his commanding officer, Jesus, wholeheartedly. But in reality, we sometimes fail to be His good soldiers. We don’t always serve Him faithfully. And so Paul’s opening phrase is important: “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (v. 1). Our Savior is full of grace. He empathizes with our weaknesses and forgives our failures (Hebrews 4:15). And just as the Union soldiers were encouraged by Lincoln’s compassion, so believers are strengthened by the grace of Jesus. We want to serve Him all the more because we know He loves us.

By Con Campbell (Our Daily Bread)

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

This is your hour, and the power of darkness. Luke 22:53
What does our Lord mean exactly when He says in the Garden of Gethsemane, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness”? It seems to me that the only possible explanation must be that this hour would never have come to pass were it not for the power of darkness. What makes this hour and all that it involves necessary and essential? It is again the problem of sin and of evil, the problem of Satan and of hell. It is the kind of hour that the devil has staged and brought into being, for in one sense he has manipulated it, though in a much higher sense he has not. I think this is the way to look at it—it is the work of the devil that makes the hour essential from God’s standpoint; it is because of what Satan has produced by sin and evil that God has to do this in order to overcome it.
So it is, in a sense, the hour of evil men, and it is there that we really see the essence of evil and of sin. The devil has produced such a situation that this hour alone can deal with it.
So this hour can be described as “your hour” and the hour of the glorification of the Son at the same time, and that is why He prays that His Father may glorify Him. It is in going through this hour, which has been produced by Satan and hell, that our Lord really is glorified. It is there we know for certain that He is the Son of God. No one had ever before had to meet Satan and conquer him; no one had been able to destroy the power that Satan had over death. The author to the Epistle to the Hebrews puts it like this: “That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death”(2:14). And thus He sets the children free, and Christ has done this through His glorification. Christ’s death and resurrection are proof that He is the Son of God.
A Thought to Ponder: Christ’s death and resurrection are proof that He is the Son of God. (From Saved in Eternity, pp. 114-115, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd—Jones)

Fear of Witnessing
“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18)
Every Christian knows that he or she should witness for Christ, but most are very reluctant to speak in His name very often. The most obvious reason for this hesitancy is fear. Sometimes we may be actually forbidden, as were the apostles, to teach of Him, but their courageous answer was: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), and so they prayed: “Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29).
More common than fear of physical persecution or personal harm, however, is fear of ridicule, or loss of prestige or position. Such fear is out of character for real Christians, “for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). If we love the Lord and those for whom He died, we must learn to conquer our fear of men.
One of the saddest rebukes that could come to a Christian is the indictment lodged against those believers who, because of their high position, refused to take an open stand for Christ: “Among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43). How often do modern professional and business men—even theologians— compromise their stand for Christ and His inerrant Word because of fear of peer pressure in what should be their spheres of influence and testimony?
May God give us the courage of Paul. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” he wrote, “for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Romans 1:16). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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