This week our devotions are going to focus on living lives driven by faith and not fear, a series of devotionals I would like to call “Faith Over Fear”,  looking at Matthew 14:1-29 we will break down this passage of scripture daily and walk-through understanding what it looks like to live life from a fear-based reaction, and what it looks like to live life from a faith-based reaction and trusting in God’s provision along the way.  

The Power of Fear (Mathew 14:1-5)

14  1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.

In this passage, we see Herod gripped by fear when he hears about the works of Jesus. His fear is not just about the physical threat but also about the truth that John the Baptist had spoken to him. Fear, when left unchecked, can lead us to make destructive decisions, just as it did for Herod. Fear of the truth, fear of loss, and fear of others’ opinions can drive us away from God and toward actions we later regret.

Have you ever allowed fear to influence your decisions? Are you allowing fear to dictate your actions, or are you choosing to trust God? Remember, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

I pray that the Lord would help us to recognize the fears in our lives and bring them to Him. That he would give us the courage to face them with faith, knowing that he is with us.  May His truth guide our actions and not the fear of what others think or what might happen.

And Remember Jesus Love you and so do I.

Pastor Will