Nearly every week, I read a message from a fellow believer who is lamenting the economy, the perceived intrusion of the federal government into areas where he does not want it to be, terrorist threats [real or imagined], illegal immigration, pollution, global warming, or some other hot topic that is making the rounds in the news talk shows, and on the Internet. Some of the messages and articles I read express genuine concern for the moral condition of our society and the immorality being imposed on godly people, but much of it is, I must say, is unwarranted fear.
Perhaps we have forgotten who we are and who it is we serve. I do not know the reasons for the fear that everyone feels, but I do know that some of the fears being expressed publicly appear to be driven more by talk show hosts, newspaper columnists, and fear-mongerers who make their living selling answers to questions asked to generate fear. Strangely, some of the most ardent fear pushers are people who claim to have faith in God; and that is what is inexplicable to me. I can see no other possible explanation for these individuals pushing fear on society and their churches other than the not-so-remote possibility that these men of God are also selling something to alleviate the fears they are pushing. But the answers to our fears do not come from bottles, pills, psychotherapy, or best-selling books. And they most certainly will not come from expertly crafted laws and or craftier politicians; freedom from fear comes from only one source, and that source is God.
In case we may have forgotten some noteworthy attributes of the God we claim to serve, I beg your attention for just a few minutes as I endeavor-free of charge-to alleviate your fears by pointing you to the true source of peace and contentment-- God.
God knows our needs. One reason God's children should not fear is because He is aware of every need and situation in which we find ourselves. A particularly clear example is that of Hagar whom Sara sent away because she was jealous of Hagar's motherhood. As Hagar and her son, Ishmael, wandered in desperation in the Wilderness of Beersheba, God's angel appeared to her and said, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is." (Genesis 21:17) Though the situation was dire and desperate, Hagar did not need to fear for herself or her son, because God was watching over her; He knew her need and promised to provide.
In the New Testament, when Jesus instructed His disciples how to pray, He reminded them, and us, "...your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8) Yes, we should pray, but with faith--not fear or doubt (cf. James 1:6-8). We should also live with faith--not fear and doubt. Too many people who claim to have faith in God and Christ seem to be failing to demonstrate it by their deeds and words. For example, they cite fear of some sort of lack as their reason for working at their secular jobs when they should be worshiping God. Jesus also told us in the Sermon on the Mount, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) Do we actually believe those words, or do we fear not having enough? With God, there is no reason to fear!
God will give us victory. Much of the fear expressed today has to do with the increasing ungodliness in and pressure for society to conform to and accept an ungodly way of life [or at least to refrain from criticizing it]. Many are feeling this pressure to conform or be silent, and they fear retribution from other individuals or from our own government officials and institutions. Because of this fear, some are threatening anarchy. Some are openly promoting secession, while others are simply talking about moving to remote locations and locking themselves in fortified compounds similar to the one we remember in Waco from a few years back. But it is all unwarranted.
When God's people stood at the edge of the Promised Land [so-called because God had promised long before that day that He would give it to them; it was a certainty], they feared the people who were in the land, cowered at the giants who were living there, and called for new leaders to take them back to Egypt- the place where they had lived in slavery. But Joshua and Caleb stood before the people and reminded them of God's promise and His protection. They exhorted them, "Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them." (Numbers 14:9) Their confidence rested where it should have--in God.
Today, our enemy is not-I repeat, not-a fleshly enemy (2 Corinthians 10:3-6), but our spiritual enemies sometimes manifest themselves in the flesh (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). They oppose us and attempt to make living godly lives seem unpleasant, undesirable, or even impossible. That does not mean we engage in a literal, fleshly fight against them; neither does it mean we should fear because we live in the flesh and may suffer real consequences for daring to withstand their efforts.
The apostle Paul was one who suffered often [physically] at the hands of fleshly enemies, but consider his attitude in a time of what many would call a depressing and stressful situation. While imprisoned, Paul wrote to his brethren in Philippi, "...in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:20-23) You see, it doesn't matter if our earthly [but spiritual] enemies win by taking our lives; because we ultimately win because we die in Christ! If you suffer a little because of your faith, rejoice (1 Peter 4:12, 13)!
God will forgive. Sometimes, we let the lure of the worldly life get to us, and we succumb to "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:15, 16) and sin-even as God's people. It is then that we may allow ourselves to become discouraged, and even a little fearful, thinking that God is going to cut us off forever, reject us altogether, and leave us without further hope. Maybe we start thinking, "I've failed God so many times, He can't possibly forgive me again!" Perhaps we're afraid He really hasn't forgiven us all those other times. Such thinking is just the devil's tool of doubt working once again to keep us enslaved to him.
Once again, we look back to the example of God's people at a time when they foolishly rejected Him from being their only king and asked for a king like the nations around them (1 Samuel 8). God granted their desire, but warned them of what they would suffer at the hand of an earthly king. Afterward, the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves." (1 Samuel 12:19) But Samuel calmed their fears, reminding them, "Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart." (v. 20) The answer to their fear was true repentance.
In the same way, God's people who sin today do not have to fear His utter rejection because we have failed Him. It's then that we need to confess our sins in prayer to Him, knowing that when we do so, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Do we deserve His forgiveness? Of course not! But that is the beauty and awesomeness of our Lord's grace and mercy. He gives us, not what we deserve, but what He has promised because of His love for us.
Though the world is a fearful place, the people of God do not need to fear.
Brother Harper has discussed a vital truth we need to remember, not only in these difficult times, but in any difficult times in our lives-we mustn't forget that we are God's children. God wants to save every person (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Jesus came to "taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9) God loved "the whole world" (John 3:16). When He sent out His disciples, He sent them into "the whole world to preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) When a person becomes a child of God, he becomes part of His household and kingdom. Through Christ, God's children have access to all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3).
Do not forget that He can do "even more than we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Today, many of God's people are lamenting the conduct of those who are in positions of authority in our country-President and congress. We can have our say by casting our votes; then we must pray, seek God's help for sustenance, and trust Him to know what is best. Don't forget; He's in total control of this world. People can only go as far as God allows them to go. God monitors our choices, and He watches over us. We serve One who is greater than our adversary. We should take prudent steps and pray for our leaders, cast our votes wisely, and influence those around us to live for God. Turn your burdens and cares over to Him. Sometimes, that's the hardest thing for us to do. (KMG)