Leading The Way - Week of May 3, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef

Leading The Way - Week of May 3

May 03, 2021

Fear in the Battle

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

As we have seen, fear has no place in the Christian life, but fear does have an important place in the life of an unbeliever. Fear is one of the tools God uses to drive the lost to faith. That’s because fear of punishment can be a powerful motivator to press someone to seek the Lord.

Pharaoh had many reasons to fear God. He had seen Him bring ten plagues upon his nation, and yet Pharaoh never allowed the fear he should have felt to become faith. So, after Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea on dry ground, Pharaoh and his armies pursued them. Rather than seeing the power of God in the walls of water to his right and his left, Pharaoh foolishly chased after the people of God. And suddenly it was over. As the waters came rushing back into place, Moses’ promise to the Israelites came true: “The Egyptians you see today you will never see again” (Exodus 14:13).

Pharaoh wasn’t afraid when he should have been, and it cost him everything. But there was someone who got the message. About forty years later, when the Israelites were getting ready to topple Jericho, there was a woman in the city named Rahab, who had heard what God had done to Egypt (see Joshua 2:10-11). She was rightly afraid, but she allowed that fear to become faith. She left everything behind to join the nation of Israel, and God rewarded her—giving her a place in Jesus’ family tree (see Matthew 1:5).

Prayer: Lord, when I am afraid, may that fear drive me closer to You. You are my fortress—my faithful Deliverer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again’” (Exodus 14:13).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Treasure That Lasts: Giving Up Gold for Glory, Part 9: LISTEN NOW

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About Leading The Way

Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through print, web, television, and radio, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives at home — and around the world.

What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ — including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazine, solar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ. In 2009, the ministry launched its own 24/7 satellite TV channel, reaching the Muslim world with Gospel programming in English, Arabic, French, and Indonesian. Leading The Way utilizes field teams to evangelize and disciple viewers in closed countries and help persecuted Christians on the ground.

Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.

About Dr. Michael Youssef

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and field ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast more than 13,000 times per week in multiple languages throughout the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia; Fuller Theological Seminary in California; and a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Hope for This Present Crisis, Life-Changing Prayers, and Never Give Up. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.