Skip to main content

Fear?


When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)
 
            Remember the three men thrown in the fiery furnace? The ones who told the king that whether God rescued them or not, they would not bow down to the king's golden image? They answered the psalmist's question. What can mortal man do to me? An friend of mine who is an atheist once asked me if he gave me poison to drink, I'd drink it. I told him that if he had the authority to require it of me, I would. I think my answer surprised him. Mortal man can do unthinkable things to our bodies, it's true. What is also true is that if they don't kill me, God is with me. If they do kill me, I am with God.  
            Don't tell me how courageous I am, or how strong or faithful.... I am often very afraid. What this passage tells us, though, is that there's nothing wrong with feeling afraid. Courage is impossible without fear. The important thing to remember is that fear is an opportunity to trust God, to hold on tight to His promises and see Him work in your life. Our response to fear should be praise.
       I'm reminded of King Hezekiah in II Kings 19:14ff. He received a letter from his enemy, demanding his surrender and assuring Hezekiah and everyone else that no god had ever protected anyone from the Assyrians. Hezekiah spread the letter out before God and said, "Here's what they're saying...." That time, God intervened and saved the Israelites. Another time, with a different king, God said, "Go into exile and live among them." Both times, God was with them.
          It's been said that fear and faith cannot coexist. Feeling fear is natural and even healthy. Living in fear, under its control, is optional. God doesn't recommend it. His solution is to trust Him and to praise Him.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more