OUTLINE:

Faith comes from persistent, humble seeking.

The Value of Wisdom
Do you value wisdom enough to seek for it diligently? (Mt 13:44-46; Lk 11:5-10)

Ps 23:4 [Amplified Classice]
Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

We have confidence in the things we fear the most.

Fear Is a Learned Behavior
Children learn fear. We are children of God. Long after we are saved, our fear of the Lord has increased exponentially. The Word is the instrument in our learning, the Spirit our Mentor.

“increasing in the knowledge of God”
The implications are many. Fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom, leads the way. The more we learn about God, the more we fear Him. The more we fear Him, the greater our confidence!

Fear Protects Us
A healthy fear of danger keeps us out of trouble.

Fear Is a Learned Behavior
Injury is an experience, something we learn about. Once injured, we have cause for fear. Anyone/anything that is able to harm us becomes a source of fear. (Lk 12:4-5; Ps 27:1-4)

Fear is a learned behavior; therefore, so is confidence.

The Dichotomy of a Household
We are protected from without, but exposed from within. Fear is framed this way in order to protect us. To “dwell in the house of the Lord” (Ps 27:4) is to live comfortably and confidently. (2Sa 24:14; Ps 41:4; 51:3-4; Ps 23)

A Good Obsession
Ps 23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Ps 27:4a One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.

Confidence Is a Function of Fear
Php 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

Fear Is a Learned Behavior
Shall we live in fear of all things injurious to our person, then? May it never be! We shall only live in the fear of God! There’s a big difference. (Ps 27:1; 2Ti 1:7)

2Ti 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Fear Is a Learned Behavior
Shall we live in fear of all things injurious to our person, then? May it never be! We shall only live in the fear of God! There’s a big difference. (Ps 27:1; 2Ti 1:7)

Spiritual Health and Confidence
Fear is among the greatest indicators of spiritual health that we’ve got! Fear produces confidence. Confidence in the Lord is a very good thing.

Ps 23:4b
Your rod [symbol of discipline] and Your staff, they comfort me.

Ps 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.

Lam 3:22-23 [ESV]
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lam 3:25-26 [Amplified Classic]
The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord.