The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost! Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord will die. Are we all going to die?” (Num 17:12-13)
The Israelites who had grumbled against the Lord have now seen his power repeatedly displayed, and finally they fear him. This is an important step in their spiritual development, but it is not yet the whole story. There is a progression that many follow in coming to know the Lord, and that the Israelites were following. Initially they were ignorant of God altogether. Then they came to understand him as one of many gods. Now at last they have understood that he is the one true, all-powerful God and they fear him. But there is one more step each of us must take – to know that he is our God and he loves us. Perfect love casts out fear. (1 Jn 4:18) God is fearfully strong. But because I know he is good and loving I know that he desires only what is best for me. Saved by his grace I can rest secure in his arms. Our High Priest Jesus has made atonement for us. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,” not fear. (Heb 4:16)
Lord, thank you that you have made a way for us to boldly come before you. Not by our righteousness but by your grace. Thank you that I need not fear your presence! Amen.
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Eyes of Fear
We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them. (Num 13:33)
When Moses sent spies into Canaan, they came back more impressed with the size of the inhabitants than the size of the grape clusters (v23). The Nephilim were considered giants in that day, and these spies imagined themselves being crushed like insects if they had to fight them. The apostle Paul tells us to consider ourselves with sober judgment (Rom 12:3), but these men were looking at themselves and their opponents with eyes of fear. Fear makes an opponent seem larger; fear makes you forget your advantages. They forgot that God would be fighting for them. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) The God who delivered them from Egypt promised them the land of Canaan. At that moment, the power of the Nephilim seemed more real to them than the power of God. They shrank back, and through their fear the promised land was lost for their generation. Lord, when danger looms and fear wells up within me, remind me that I do not stand alone. Your mighty arm is my defense. In you I place my trust. Amen.
When Moses sent spies into Canaan, they came back more impressed with the size of the inhabitants than the size of the grape clusters (v23). The Nephilim were considered giants in that day, and these spies imagined themselves being crushed like insects if they had to fight them. The apostle Paul tells us to consider ourselves with sober judgment (Rom 12:3), but these men were looking at themselves and their opponents with eyes of fear. Fear makes an opponent seem larger; fear makes you forget your advantages. They forgot that God would be fighting for them. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) The God who delivered them from Egypt promised them the land of Canaan. At that moment, the power of the Nephilim seemed more real to them than the power of God. They shrank back, and through their fear the promised land was lost for their generation. Lord, when danger looms and fear wells up within me, remind me that I do not stand alone. Your mighty arm is my defense. In you I place my trust. Amen.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Lame Excuses
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or “I will be murdered in the streets!” (Pro 22:13)
I don’t like to think I have anything in common with the “sluggard” who is so frequently criticized in Proverbs. But unfortunately I often see myself in these verses. It’s so easy to make excuses when there is something I know I should do, but I dread it for some reason. I wonder how often my excuses sound as silly as these? But even if I can fool others I know I can’t fool God. He sees my heart and he knows when I am being lazy or timid. Lord, I can’t fool you, and most of the time I can’t fool others, either. Forgive me for making excuses when what you desire is obedience. You will provide the strength and the courage I need for any task, if only I will yield in obedience to your will. Amen.
I don’t like to think I have anything in common with the “sluggard” who is so frequently criticized in Proverbs. But unfortunately I often see myself in these verses. It’s so easy to make excuses when there is something I know I should do, but I dread it for some reason. I wonder how often my excuses sound as silly as these? But even if I can fool others I know I can’t fool God. He sees my heart and he knows when I am being lazy or timid. Lord, I can’t fool you, and most of the time I can’t fool others, either. Forgive me for making excuses when what you desire is obedience. You will provide the strength and the courage I need for any task, if only I will yield in obedience to your will. Amen.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Don't Be Afraid
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mk 5:35-36)
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” It is never too late for God to act. He is on his own timetable, and sometimes he chooses to wait until the situation seems completely hopeless. But we must never give in to fear. Instead, we must heed the words of Jesus and “Just believe.” God is sovereign. He heals. He saves. If he chooses to act he will do so in his own time. For my part I must simply remember he is in control.
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” It is never too late for God to act. He is on his own timetable, and sometimes he chooses to wait until the situation seems completely hopeless. But we must never give in to fear. Instead, we must heed the words of Jesus and “Just believe.” God is sovereign. He heals. He saves. If he chooses to act he will do so in his own time. For my part I must simply remember he is in control.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Why Are You So Afraid?
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mk 4:39-40)
The disciples were afraid because they didn’t yet fully appreciate who they had with them. If they had truly understood that it was the Son of God asleep in the stern, they might have been able to guess that he was destined for a greater end than to drown in a storm. They would have known he has power over even the wind and the waves. Lord, help me to remember who I am with. I know you are all powerful and you love me. That’s all I need to know to drive away all fear. Even if I die today, I know I will be with you for all eternity.
The disciples were afraid because they didn’t yet fully appreciate who they had with them. If they had truly understood that it was the Son of God asleep in the stern, they might have been able to guess that he was destined for a greater end than to drown in a storm. They would have known he has power over even the wind and the waves. Lord, help me to remember who I am with. I know you are all powerful and you love me. That’s all I need to know to drive away all fear. Even if I die today, I know I will be with you for all eternity.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wide Open Spaces
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Ps 18:19)
David was in danger from his enemies – hemmed in, entangled, surrounded (v4-5). But God brought him out of that place and into a spacious place, where he could roam widely and freely, without fear. God rescued David because he delighted in him. David was the "man after God’s own heart.” But God delights in us, too. He rescues us all from sin and death. We, too, were entangled by cords of death, overwhelmed by torrents of destruction. We were powerless to resist and bereft of hope – until God stepped in. The light of truth pierced the darkness and we turned toward it. But before we could move to it, the light came to us. Our Heavenly Father plucked us from the snares of death and brought us into his Kingdom of Light. Now I sometimes feel ensnared, but I am bound only by my own fears. My freedom has already been won. I need only open my eyes to see that I am free.
David was in danger from his enemies – hemmed in, entangled, surrounded (v4-5). But God brought him out of that place and into a spacious place, where he could roam widely and freely, without fear. God rescued David because he delighted in him. David was the "man after God’s own heart.” But God delights in us, too. He rescues us all from sin and death. We, too, were entangled by cords of death, overwhelmed by torrents of destruction. We were powerless to resist and bereft of hope – until God stepped in. The light of truth pierced the darkness and we turned toward it. But before we could move to it, the light came to us. Our Heavenly Father plucked us from the snares of death and brought us into his Kingdom of Light. Now I sometimes feel ensnared, but I am bound only by my own fears. My freedom has already been won. I need only open my eyes to see that I am free.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Audience of One
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Pro 29:25)
In my comfortable, safe life I do not fear physical injury from others. My fears are all about embarrassment, rejection and scorn. But in these things, too, whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Certainly I want the good opinion of others. More specifically, I want to deserve the good opinion of others by being the godly man I have been called to be. As long as I have been obedient to that calling I need not fear any hostility and rejection I may encounter, because my reward is the approval of my Master. In that sense I play to an audience of one. Whatever men might say or do, my self worth is based on God’s love for me, which I did nothing to earn and can do nothing to diminish. My trust in God is sure, because God is constant and steadfast. I can trust him never to reject me or condemn me. Jesus suffered the Father's rejection and wrath for my sake. There remains only love. Discipline, to be sure, but always love.
In my comfortable, safe life I do not fear physical injury from others. My fears are all about embarrassment, rejection and scorn. But in these things, too, whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Certainly I want the good opinion of others. More specifically, I want to deserve the good opinion of others by being the godly man I have been called to be. As long as I have been obedient to that calling I need not fear any hostility and rejection I may encounter, because my reward is the approval of my Master. In that sense I play to an audience of one. Whatever men might say or do, my self worth is based on God’s love for me, which I did nothing to earn and can do nothing to diminish. My trust in God is sure, because God is constant and steadfast. I can trust him never to reject me or condemn me. Jesus suffered the Father's rejection and wrath for my sake. There remains only love. Discipline, to be sure, but always love.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Battle Is the Lord's
This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chron 20:15b)
Jehoshaphat faced a vast army that had come against him from Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir. But he did not panic. He turned to God in prayer. The prophet’s words to him could also be for us. When trials come, remember that the battle is the Lord’s. God miraculously defeated Jehoshaphat’s enemies that day. Sometimes God will allow us to suffer for awhile, but always God’s plan for us is secure. He has charted our path, and will see us through. The battle is the Lord’s.
Jehoshaphat faced a vast army that had come against him from Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir. But he did not panic. He turned to God in prayer. The prophet’s words to him could also be for us. When trials come, remember that the battle is the Lord’s. God miraculously defeated Jehoshaphat’s enemies that day. Sometimes God will allow us to suffer for awhile, but always God’s plan for us is secure. He has charted our path, and will see us through. The battle is the Lord’s.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Different Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jn 14:27)
Jesus says this immediately after saying he will send them the Holy Spirit to live in the disciples' hearts and teach them all things. So it is through the Spirit that we will experience this peace and freedom from fear. It is only in complete surrender to the Spirit that we can truly live free, with the inner peace that comes from complete trust in him. This is not the peace the world pretends to offer, which comes only from the absence of conflict. This is the peace of God, which continues in the midst of conflict and trouble.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Foolish Fears
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Pro 29:25)
My fears are so silly, especially since they mostly consist of fears of embarrassment or rejection and not mortal or spiritual danger. My fears are a snare when they prevent me from fulfilling my responsibilities or living out my calling from the Lord. Lord, help me to remember that even in mortal danger I need not fear, for my soul is secure in you. And help me to look past my foolish fear of embarrassment so I may be bold to speak and act in your name. Amen.
My fears are so silly, especially since they mostly consist of fears of embarrassment or rejection and not mortal or spiritual danger. My fears are a snare when they prevent me from fulfilling my responsibilities or living out my calling from the Lord. Lord, help me to remember that even in mortal danger I need not fear, for my soul is secure in you. And help me to look past my foolish fear of embarrassment so I may be bold to speak and act in your name. Amen.
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