Fear or No Fear

Acts 19:23-31

English Standard Version (ESV)

²³ About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. ²⁴ For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. ²⁵ These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. ²⁶ And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. ²⁷ And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

²⁸ When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. ³⁰ But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. ³¹ And even some of the Asiarchs,^[a] who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+19%3A23-31&version=ESV)

As I read through this I first thought this was a story about money and in some ways it is.  However, as I continued to read I came to realize it was about a man who was afraid.  In this man’s eyes, the money he depended on for he and his family’s livelihood was quickly diminishing because of this man, Paul.  He did not want to  hear the Word of God spoken through Paul he just saw the results of the Words, decreased revenue.  If you have ever had your money cut off through the loss of a job, you can quickly identify with the frustration of this man.  You may have even felt like this man, wanting people to come onto your side of the issue and destroy the reputation of the ones on the other side of the issue.  

Now let’s look at the other side of the story, the “fear not” side.  This begins in verse 30 with the words, “But when Paul . . .” , three simple words and the ones that follow, give us the view of someone without fear.  He did not fear what man could do to him because he had God on his side. Paul had something to say but those around him held him back. Some may have held him back for fear he would stir the crowd more while others may have held him back because they feared for his life.  Paul knew that if God wanted him to speak then he should speak.  He had no fear but only a message from God that he wanted to proclaim.  Some may say he had no common sense but I like to believe that he was fearless because of the One who was on His side.

Now it is time for us to think about how this relates to our own lives.  I have to admit that I am more like the man who fears, even though God tells me not to.  I have a tendency to be the one who tries to take control rather than giving the control to God (even though I do not even have the control of releasing it because God has the controls).  It’s kind of like trying to drive a car in the passenger seat, I do that too, it NEVER works!  Where do you stand?  As you seek Him today, think about where you are and where God wants you to be.  Seek Him and know that He is God and yes, He is in control, fear not.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila