In times like these, you count on your family and friends to get you through. There is fear on every corner…fear of disease, fear of death, fear of losing our freedom, fear of losing our job, fear of losing our income, fear of panic shopping once again and not having the items you need, fear to even walk down the street in peace. We are surrounded by fear on every corner, at every gap in our “boundary of protection” we created for ourselves. In this world, there is no peace.
I’m reminded of a bible verse: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJ). We also have the words spoken to Joshua, when he took command of God’s people after Moses died, “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5, NIV).
Now, keep in mind Moses was amazing. Suddenly in times of peril…HUGE lakes parted, bread fell from the sky, water came from rocks…GREAT THINGS HAPPENED WHEN MOSES GOT INVOLVED! Now, Moses was gone, and God promoted the man 2nd in command. Joshua had to be afraid, and thinking he could never fill Moses’ shoes. But fear doesn’t come from God…
See the last part of that verse, “I will never leave nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5, NIV)”. Same words spoken the night before Jesus was taken into custody: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18, NASB). Jesus’ group of closest friends were scared…if they weren’t then, they would be soon. Jesus knew His closest friends were scared and were GOING TO BE scared. He reminded them that they were not alone…that He would be there. Except He would not be there in the physical restraints of the human body, but in Spirit…where he reigned. THAT is the guy they needed…the STRONG one! The One only available through faith.
Not only am I afraid of the surroundings I mentioned earlier…but I also found out a dear friend of mine took her life a couple days ago. I caught myself being angry at the world that could have caused her such anguish that death seemed to be the only escape. The world we live in is sinful, we know that. But lately, we are seeing an entirely new level of fear, anger, frustration, anguish, loneliness…and evil.
I, too, became afraid that if even she felt THAT level of anguish…would I be any different? In my fear, I remembered the verse, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJ).
I remembered that Fear is not of God, but our Enemy. God won that battle when he died...VOLUNTARILY... to forgive me of my sins, and conquer death.
I remembered: “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5, NIV).
I also remembered: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18, NASB).
There are so many things I don’t understand, and I don’t have answers for. I don’t necessarily need them, and I don’t try to pretend and have answers. Sometime all I know is that things are the “way they are”…because that’s the “way it is”. I cared for my friend, even though the miles and a few years separated us. I wished she let out an inkling of a clue there was something awry. She didn’t.
But in the aftermath, I am reminded that even in the darkest times, God is STILL there. He WANTS to be there to comfort us. And if we let Him…He will comfort us.
I’m remembered that fear doesn’t have to have that much power…Love and Peace are stronger. The World and its Fear don't have to win. Love and Peace can, if we allow them to. Again, I don’t understand, pretend to understand, and don’t always need to understand…sometimes “things are simply what they are”.
The Fear, Anguish, Panic, and Uncertainty doesn’t have to win if we don’t allow it to. We can either silently stand firm in our faith and confidence in the Lord, or we can stand loudly…as long as we stand! If we empty ourselves of the fear, panic, and uncertainty…Peace and Love can fill us instead.
Final word:
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice. For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:29-32, NASB)
Love and peace to you guys!