11 The Principle of the Fear‑Panic Ploy
When Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel in his youth, he was a humble man, and the Holy Spirit was mightily upon him. In his later years, he spiraled into reversionism through neglect of Bible doctrine, and grew afraid of David, fear that expanded to the point that it debilitated his entire life.
Now Saul was afraid of David, for the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. (1SA 18:12)
Then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David's enemy continually. (1SA 18:29)
Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night. (1SA 28:20)
Fear is prohibited in the grace plan of God (DEU 31:6-8; JOS 8:1; 1CH 28:20; 2TI 1:7). "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (ISA 41:10).
Maturity is characterized by courage or lack of fear.
"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about." (PSA 3:6).
"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can {mere} man do to me?"
"In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (PSA 56:11).
By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
It is possible to learn many doctrines and yet fall apart in sudden historical or personal disaster. Sudden disaster often places the believer under such great pressure that he is thrown into an emotional state of panic where he cannot concentrate on the doctrine he has learned. Many believers can handle disasters if they know that they're coming, but they have a problem with sudden unexpected disaster. Remember that the difference between fear and courage is the ability to concentrate under great pressure. The coward cannot think under pressure, while the man of courage concentrates under the same pressure.
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