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1. Israel cleaned house 4 So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.
2. Admitted their sin 6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.”
3. They were afraid v7And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines

1. They cried out and trusted God v8 “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
2. They went to war 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car.
3. God delivered them 13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

They were afraid but went to battle and God gave them the victory

“they were afraid of the philistines”

Some of ya’ll got some philistines in your life that you’re afraid to face because of fear.

1. Fear is natural

• They had just been whomped by the philistines. They had seen God strike down their bretheren
• They tried the ‘do it without God’ route and the results were abysmal. Things did not go well
• Its natural that they would feel fear. If you had seen and heard about 10s of thousands of your countrymen die, and then you have to go up against a formidable force, you’d be fearful as well
• 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
• They had done the right things- they had repented- They had removed the sin, but they were still afraid.
• Now they are facing the philistines- and I hope they are a bit afraid. Afraid of what would happen if they trusted in themselves or lived in their dual nature of serving other Gods
• YEAH DUDE> I’d be Afraid! People die when they go against the philistines without God
• Be the guy in the group that says “I am not so sure about this gents”

• Some fear in your life is actually good for you- its an indicator of something you should respect

• Respect fire, firearms, water, electricity, and the debt collectors. (putting in outlet w power)
• Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
• Godly fear isn’t fearing the things of this world, its about fearing God and realizing what you’re getting into

• If you’re going to get married, have some fear, or kids, or new job, respect it. Its huge
• But you’re not going to be spiritually destroyed if you take the wrong job or buy wrong car
• What does it mean to you
• If you have fear of facing big things in your life, that makes you human

• Growing spiritually, emotionally, relationships, jobs, career moves, upward, confrontation
• Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
• Fear can be a gut check- what am I doing and who am I trusting.
• If you never feel any fear, I’m curious if you’re actually growing, because every time I grow to the next level I get scared.

• Will I fail? Will I get hurt? Will I be embarrassed? Will God be with me? Am I even hearing God?
• Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

• It’s an honest assessment of the task at hand- You’re about to fight the philistines. Its game time
• Who are we, where are we going. What is it going to take
• First and foremost-if you’re fearing God- that’s GOOD- You’re on the right track!

• I fear God as I lead this church- is he proud of me? Am I doing right? Is this of God?
• Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
• Psalm 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.

1. Fear can fuel faith

• When you’re afraid, call out to God that’s what Israel did!
• v8 “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
• They knew they couldn’t do it alone- so they cried out to God and built their faith through it

• When you’re afraid, you can either trust in yourself or trust in God- you can fuel your faith to believe that God meant what he said when he said that he would go with you into battle
• Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

• This deuteronic promise should sustain and encourage the people of Israel-
• They did the right thing by crying out to God! To put their faith in HIM that he would be the ONLY way they could get through this!
• Remember- THEY WERE AFRAID- and their FEAR fueled their FAITH “that he may save us from the hand of the philistines!
• What does it mean to you-

• When you feel like you cant do it- it’s a great time to reach out God
• When you are fearful- you have choice- trust you- or trust him- that philistine in your life has already destroyed your family, your friends, you’ve seen the damage he can do- and NOW you have a choice- FEAR OR FAITH
  Psalm 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
• When you’re afraid- what do you do? Where does your mind go? What do you reflect on and where does your mind go?
• Your failures? The reasons why it wont work? The past times that you’ve failed? Hurt, pain, regret, worry, doubt, all of those negative emotions swirling around in your head

• Lets be honest here- most of the philistines in your life aren’t a warring nation of giants coming against you in battle. Its probably a conversation you have to have or a workout you want to start
• Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
• Be bolder at work! Be bolder with your family! Make drastic changes in your life!
• Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid
• 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1. Move forward in Fear

• Israel is afraid but do you know what? V 10-11But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car.

• Israel still went out to battle and the Lord showed up BIG TIME BUT THEY DID IT AFRAID
• You just go. You’ve reviewed the plan, you’ve called out to God- trust him and go to war.
• Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
• Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

• When you read through the OT you see time and time again a group of scared people going out doing big things for God.
• They might be afraid, but they don’t let it keep them at home doing nothing
• Deuteronomy 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.

• What does it mean to you?
• Sometimes you just have to go and do it afraid. You realize your fear, you put your faith in God, and then you move forward. You just GO
• Its going to be God who does it anyway- 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
• Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

• When I was in Egypt- few soldiers died in MVAs- I was counseling. Deathly afraid to ride
• Psalm 91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
• I just said it over and over during the 7 hour bus ride (these Egyptians would ride on flats and go through mine fields)
• Isaiah 41:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!
• You’re going to go forward in faith. You’re going to trust God and DO IT
• You will move forward in FAITH even though you may feel some FEAR