What are you fearful of? No doubt several world situations have you fearful if you are caught up in the 24/7 news cycle! There is quite a choice – rioting in Ferguson, murders in Chicago, illegal entry across our southern border, ISIS capturing Fallujah, refugees pinned on a mountainside in Iraq, Israel at war, Ukraine battling Russian insurgence, chemical weapons in Syria, aggressive persecution including beheadings by ISIS, and the list goes on. In some parts of the world people fear for their way of life while others fear for life itself.
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – Proverbs 29:25. We live in a broken world because man is broken. Man is in need of a Savior and He is Jesus the Christ. As we turn to Him in a personal relationship there is the opportunity to embrace His grace, walk anew in the power of the resurrected Christ and be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. In relationship with Jesus, a Christian is enabled to navigate through the doubts and cynicism that the world stirs up through violence and persecution.
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” Matt.24:6-8. Our Father provides clarity and perspective through His word, and healing through His Son in the midst of our brokenness. As we fear Him, the fears in this world will be kept in perspective.
Tips to Be Fearful of God:
- Read the Bible daily at whatever pace you are comfortable with. Utilizing the “Bible in 90 Days” program is a great option. If that is too much right now, then I encourage reading a couple of chapters a day starting with the letters from Paul, Peter and John, and then read the gospels & Acts;
- Pray before your reading and after, that the Lord will open your heart to His word & His love and to how fearfully and wonderfully you are made – Ps.139:14;
- Praise the Lord 24/7 for the gifts and blessings you enjoy – the sunrise, the job, the business deal, friends, your home, marriage and family. Glorify Him where He has you.
Prayer guide: Lord, it seems the noise level of violence in this world is reaching new levels. I don’t know that the violence is any worse than when the Romans used wild animals in the arena to kill followers of Christ but it is all certainly broadcast more effectively today. Grant me clarity in Your Word and strength in Your Son to fearfully represent You in the home, at work, in the Church and beyond. Amen
A faithful father fearfully represents God where He has him.
