In view of the terrible terrorist attacks in Paris a few days ago, many people are fearful. It's inconceivable to most of us that these radical Islamic jihadis are willing to not only murder innocent people, including women and children, but also to blow themselves up for their cause. They make no secret regarding their ultimate goals: first and foremost, the total annihilation of Israel, and then, world-wide domination. These rabid radicals want to force their religion, their ideology, and their strict Sharia law on the entire world.

Sharia is not merely a set of laws but an ideology that keeps people in ignorance, poverty, and virtual slavery. And women especially suffer under Sharia law: it relegates women to chattel, unable to hold a job, drive, date, or even appear in public without a male relative and being covered head to toe with their burkas or hijabs. Even professional women whose services are desperately needed, such as teachers, nurses, and doctors, are not allowed to work, forced into compliance with threats, intimidation, and violence. Under Sharia law, men have the "right" to beat, maim, disfigure, cripple, rape, and even kill their wives, sisters, or daughters for even such simple offenses such as not wearing their veil in public, speaking to a male other than a close relative, or going to school. And they demand the "right" to do these things, even here in the United States.

These radical terrorists have already infiltrated every free country in the world, including our own. They are against freedom of any kind, because free people are able to make their own choices, elect their own leaders, accumulate wealth, get an education, and live in any manner they see fit. This is totally unacceptable to the power-hungry, abusive zealots that run this Islamic movement. They immediately begin demanding that, rather than Muslims following the law of the countries they are in, these other countries must give in to their Sharia law. They use violence and terror to control and manipulate everyone.

Such violence and fear affects us all. It can influence how we live our daily lives. For instance, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in our own country, I know of many people who cancelled travel plans, fearful of getting on a plane. After the bombings at the Boston marathon, many found themselves avoiding public venues with large crowds that may be prime targets for terrorist attacks. Just this week, after the Paris attacks, I know of some that have cancelled vacation plans overseas. Even if we haven't changed our personal plans because of terrorist acts, most of us are still a bit afraid of where the next act of terror will take place, of what may happen in the future.

Fear is a weapon the enemy uses against us; not just the physical enemy, but our spiritual enemy as well. In any war, fear is a well-known tactic used to demoralize and intimidate those fighting the battle. That is one of the biggest differences between Jehovah God Almighty and Allah: our God loves us and wants a real and personal relationship with us. He does not desire to intimidate us and force His will upon us, but rather gives us the gift of free will; we are free to choose to serve Him or not. This is a vast contrast with Allah, the god of the Muslims, whose very name means "Surrender", and whose followers insist that infidels either convert to Islam, become their slaves, or die. Another major difference is that Jehovah loves people so much He sent His only begotten Son to die for them; Allah requires that his follows be willing to die for him.

We tend to think that it is only natural to be afraid when faced with evil. But our key verse tells us that this spirit of fear is not from God. God has no desire to demoralize and intimidate His children, for God is love, (I John 4:8) and there is no fear in love. (I John 4:18) Fear may cause us to hate our enemies, instead of praying for them. Fear may keep us from sharing the love of God with them. Fear makes us feel powerless and helpless, instead of looking to God for our strength, courage, and ultimately, deliverance.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)

It's important that we understand that the battle is not against people, not even the followers of Islam, but is a spiritual battle. It began when Lucifer rebelled against God in heaven, and has continued in every generation until this very day. Why do you think the Muslims want to totally annihilate the tiny nation of Israel? Because they know that the Israelites are God's own chosen people, the "apple of His eye". (Deut. 32:9-10) God fights for them, protects them, and will deliver them from all their enemies, (II KIngs 17:38-39; Psalm 37:39-40) because He choose them in the first place. (Isaiah 41:8) And since we who have trusted Jesus for our salvation have been grafted into the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we do not have to live with a spirit of fear (Rom. 8:15). We are members of the family of God, (Rom. 8:14-17), and part of His chosen people, (John 15:16; Eph. 1:4, I Peter 2:9) The battle between good and evil is not ours; the battle belongs to the Lord, and His ultimate victory is a sure thing!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his
faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  For he will command his angels
concerning you, to guard you in all your ways…“Because he loves me,” says the Lord,
“I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon
me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him…”
(from Psalm 91)

~ Other Verses to Remind Us We Do Not Have to Fear ~

1.  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10)

2.  “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, I will praise his word, in God, I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”  (Psalm 56:3,4)

3.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7)

4.  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..”  (John 14:27)

5.  “But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”  (Isaiah 43:1)

6. “Even 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 23:4)

7. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9)

8. “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time.  Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”  (1 Peter 5:6-7)

9. “Tell everyone who is discouraged, Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…”  (Isaiah 35:4)

10. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”  (Psalm 27:1)

11. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”  (Psalm 55:22)

12. “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Deuteronomy 31:6)

13. “'For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”  (Isaiah 41:13-14)

14. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

15. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is with me; he is my helper.” (Psalm 118:6-7)

16. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”  (Proverbs 29:25)

17. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”  (Psalm 34:7)

18. “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.”  (1 Peter 3:14)

19. “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.”  (Psalm 34:4)

20. “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”  (Deuteronomy 3:22)

21. “Then he placed his right hand on me and said: 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.'”  (Revelation 1:17)

22. “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (Mark 5:36)

23. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38-39

24. “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  (Zephaniah 3:17)

25. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10)