Last time we saw how fear causes people to do all kinds of crazy things, like Abraham allowing his wife to be taken as another man’s wife not once but twice, and the children of Israel refused to go into the promised land because of fear. While fear was at the center of both of these situations, there was something else as well. A lack of trust in God. As we continue, we will see a stark contrast between those who trusted in the Lord and those who chose to fear their circumstances instead.
Here we have Barak, a man who should be leading his nation, and he is so struck with fear that he will not go to battle unless Deborah, a woman, goes with him. What a shame to this man that he would not trust in the Lord but trusted in having Deborah with him. Deborah, on the other hand, did not fear as her trust was in the Lord. She spoke with assuredness that the Lord had said these things and that He would complete them. She trusted the Lord and put her life in danger without fear. You can find out more about her in Judges 4.

Let's look at another person who did not regard their own life but trusted in the Lord and did what was right. Esther was a Jewish girl who had lost her parents and was living with her uncle Mordecai while in captivity. She was chosen to replace the queen, who was disobedient to the king. The king had an advisor, Hamman, who hated Mordecai because he would not bow down to him when he passed, as Hamman commanded all to do. So Hamman comes up with a plan to get rid of Mordecai by telling the king that there is a people who are disobedient to the king and do not obey but go by their own laws. That’s right, the Jews. He convinces the king to let him destroy this people. When Mordecai learns of this, he tells Esther, and that is where we pick up.

Esther 4:6-11 
6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king’s gate. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people. 9 So Hathach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.”

Here we see Esther considering the consequences of what could happen to her if she goes to the king without being summoned. While there is clearly some fear there she is not saying no and Mordecai’s response gives her the guidance she needed.

Esther 4:13-14
13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.

What an amazing example and role model to have in her life. Someone who will tell her how it is and doesn’t hold back. Here, he reminded her that if she betrays her God and her people by not speaking up, then God is still able and will save His people, but obviously, she was put in this position for a reason. As it goes, Esther has all of the Jews fast and pray, and she goes before the king, who is granted favor, and in the end, the Jews are saved, and Haman hangs on the gallows he had made for Mordecai.
Just as the Lord used Esther for mighty things when she trusted Him and walked in faith instead of fear, He wants to use us as well. That may not be to save a nation from death but it may be to bring those around us to salvation, to encourage a sister who is struggling or to be the support and encouragement our husbands need, to train our children in the ways of the Lord and to be an example to this lost and dying world of what true love is and point them to the Prince of Peace.  
Let’s take a look at those who have gone before us in faith and did not fear but trusted in the Lord.

Hebrews 11
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. The Faith of the Patriarchs
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the [g]passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

These are our examples that we are to look to and take courage. Do not fear but be strong in the Lord.

1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

1 Peter 3:13-14
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Matt 6:31-34
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Isaiah 41:13
For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1-6
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? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Sisters, we need to keep our eyes on the Lord and what He has done and what He has promised to do. Trials and tribulations will come and go, but the Lord is the one who remains forever, and He holds us in the palm of His hand. Those who trust in Him will not be disappointed. He knows all things and has promised to work them together for our good if we continue to be called according to His purpose and continue to love Him. So let us draw near to Him and trust all that He says, and let us be those who encourage others to trust the Lord without fear of circumstances or even the loss of life. But rather fear the Lord and rest in Him.