Enabling Fear
Acts 5:11-12 KJV
(11) And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
(12) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Where real fear has been instilled and where it has risen to dominate other emotions, it will constrain, correct, and enable. Also, where fear of one entity may have once reigned, an introduction to a greater and more overwhelming force can bring liberation from the restraints of that former bondage.
For some reason there were those that had let other motivations and desires dim the reality of just who they were dealing with when they chose to mislead and deceive. Driven by fears of both rejection and loss, Ananias and Sapphira chose to pacify both fears by misrepresenting their offering. With no regard at all for the One to whom their gift was really being given, they instead sought to impress their fellow church members and still retain what their hearts feared losing. While the consequences of their choices would be tragic, a great fear came on those that observed their demise, and with this fear an awareness of the Almighty, removing the influence of any other condemning and debilitating fear. The demonstration of God’s power and might that followed this fear was made possible by hearts that became more concerned about pleasing their Father than pacifying their friends or fortunes.
Other forces in life will persistently attempt to rise in prominence with the restraining and dominating fear of not pleasing or pacifying their passions. In praise and worship, however, there is an opportunity to observe the incredibly overwhelming power of our holy Father, and become completely and totally liberated from any former restraints of fear. In the atmosphere where a holy fear of God dominates all others, there will be an outpouring of His Spirit that will bring down walls, destroy giants and move mountains that once seemed so ominous and impenetrable. Today in His presence may fear of our most Holy Father rise above any other and may this fear enable an incredible demonstration of His heart to deliver, transform and provide.
