In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. (Isaiah 54:14 ESV)
That 35-foot boa constrictor was hanging from the opened garage-door six inches from my nose. (Actually, it was a barely 4-foot rat snake hanging from the opened garage-door 8 feet from my nose… but it SEEMED like more!) After screaming with a shrill voice, willing my heart to beat again, and remembering to breathe, what did I do?
I calmly (mostly) walked to the garden shed and retrieved my hedge clippers. The hanging snake was a low hanging fruit. There was only one right thing to do.
The snake slithered away (a good thing… it keeps rats away!) before I could finish my manly hunting task. But that snake reminded me of a method of killing fear.
When fear lurks, do the next right thing.
Isaiah taught the lesson even better than the rat snake. He wrote that having righteousness as a foundation protects against oppression, fear, and terror.
His reasoning is obvious. The presence of God removes all reason to fear. Righteousness connects us to God. Obedience (the truly right thing) allows us to walk closer to God. And since the only righteousness we can obtain is the righteousness we inherit through a relationship with the Christ, believing in HIM is the only way to righteousness. (Romans 4:3)
Righteousness is not usually our go-to solution for fear, is it? Nationally, when afraid, we turn instead to an army or government aid. Emotionally, when afraid, we turn instead to familiarity or companionship. Physically, when afraid, we turn instead to strength or skill. Medically, when afraid, we turn instead to knowledge or medicine. Financially, when afraid, we turn instead to more work or less spending. Relationally, when afraid, we turn instead to self-defense or avoidance.
But Isaiah and the rat snake direct us to righteousness. Draw closer to God in any situation by doing the next right thing. Not in arrogant expectation of achieving perfection, but in humble imitation and dependence upon the righteousness-providing and righteousness-empowering Messiah.
It is not as complicated as it sounds.
When tempted to lie to get out of a fearful situation, try thinking of Jesus wonderful Truth-telling and be honest, even when it seems dangerous. When tempted towards anger because of fear, try recalling Jesus peaceful submission to the Father, and surrender any self-righteous frustration to God. When tempted to trust first in physical solutions (medicine, checkbooks, or possessions,) try remembering the King of the Universe living on earth, and not worrying about a pillow or His next meal, and speak instead of God’s goodness.
There is always one obvious simple right thing to do.
Fear not, because of righteousness.