The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Episode #46: "Joby Martin // No Fear because You are with Me"
Release Date: March 5, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #46 of The Daily Blade, hosts Pastor Joby Martin of the Church of Eleven22 and Kyle Thompson of Undaunted.Life delve into the profound theme of fear from a Christian perspective. This episode, titled "No Fear because You are with Me," draws inspiration from Psalm 23 and explores how faith can overcome the paralyzing effects of fear in believers' lives.

Exploring Psalm 23

The episode begins with a recitation and reflection on Psalm 23, a cornerstone of biblical assurance and comfort.

Joby Martin (B) starts by guiding listeners through the Psalm:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
[00:20]

He emphasizes the Psalm's relevance, especially for those enduring difficult times:

"If you know somebody walking through the valley of the shadow of death, this is part of what's great about the Daily Blade. Maybe you should send them yesterday and maybe even today's content."
[01:30]

Understanding Fear: Distinguishing Between Fear and Being Scared

Joby differentiates between innate fear responses and the deeper, spiritual fear that seeks to immobilize believers.

He clarifies that fear is a "spirit that does not come from God," referencing Paul's exhortation to Timothy:

"God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-discipline."
[02:10]

Contrasting this, he explains that being scared is a natural, God-given physiological response:

"Scared is a feeling. Scared is a physiological reality that God has given us so that we know that we can either fight or flight."
[02:45]

Faith vs. Fear: The Spiritual Battle

Delving deeper, Joby asserts that the true antagonist of faith is not doubt but fear:

"The opposite of faith is not doubt. [...] the opposite of faith is fear."
[03:30]

He underscores that faith leads to action, while fear results in paralysis. Using King David as an exemplar, Joby illustrates unwavering faith:

"The reason that King David will fear no evil is because God is with him."
[04:10]

Personal Anecdote: Overcoming Fear in Everyday Life

Joby shares a touching personal story about his daughter’s fear of monsters, illuminating practical ways to confront fear through faith:

"I would get her down with a flashlight, and she and I together would look and say, see, baby, there are, like, where this light goes, they've got to flee."
[04:50]

He relates this to the broader Christian experience, emphasizing that God’s presence dispels fear:

"When I am with you, you have nothing to be afraid of."
[05:20]

Encouragement for Believers

Concluding his message, Joby encourages listeners to embrace their faith and confront fears with courage:

"What have you been afraid of? What do you need to take courage in and by faith, step forward where previously you have been paralyzed by fear."
[05:35]

He reminds believers of the indwelling Spirit of God, which equips them to face life's challenges confidently:

"The Spirit of God is not merely with you, he is in you."
[05:50]

Conclusion

Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson wrap up the episode by reinforcing the central theme: with God's presence, believers need not succumb to fear. Instead, they are called to act in faith, embodying courage in the face of life's valleys and shadows.

As Joby aptly puts it:

"Go and do walk through that valley knowing that God is with you. Amen."
[06:10]

Key Takeaways

• Fear vs. Being Scared: Understanding the distinction helps believers respond appropriately—either by exercising natural fear responses or overcoming spiritual fear through faith.

• Faith as Action: True faith leads to proactive steps forward, rather than being hindered by fear.

• God’s Presence: The assurance of God's companionship empowers believers to face and overcome fears.

Notable Quotes

• "God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-discipline." — Joby Martin [02:10]

• "The opposite of faith is not doubt. [...] the opposite of faith is fear." — Joby Martin [03:30]

• "When I am with you, you have nothing to be afraid of." — Joby Martin [05:20]

• "Go and do walk through that valley knowing that God is with you. Amen." — Joby Martin [06:10]

Conclusion

Episode #46 of The Daily Blade offers a compelling exploration of fear from a Christian lens, encouraging listeners to anchor their lives in faith and God's unwavering presence. Joby Martin's insightful teachings, combined with personal anecdotes, provide practical and spiritual tools for overcoming fear and living courageously.

For more inspiring content and to join Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson in person, don't miss the 2025 Men's Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Reserve your seat at mensconference.com.