Fear Not... Get to Work

I’d like to propose to the Scientific Community a third type of fear response.  It is claimed that when faced with fear, our automatic response is either flight or fight.  But I see that a third response is freeze. Whether our fear is so PASSIONATE that we don’t dare run away OR attack (like when you wake up and a T-Rex is about to sharpen it’s teeth on your slippers,) or whether our fear is more of a low-boil (like when your fear of choosing the wrong door on a game show causes you to choose neither door #1 OR door #2.)

Fear causes so many reactions, but perhaps the most deadly occurs when fear makes us freeze.  Frozen folk don’t really respond… we don’t find victory, we don’t learn to face defeat, we don’t improve our situation, we can’t obey, we can’t build His kingdom, we can’t show faith, we can’t move towards hope, and we can’t love.

When we freeze we are luke-warm.  And we know what Christ thinks about His luke-warm followers.

The Old Testament prophets that we call, “minor,” have a major message to give us.  They spoke and wrote to people in crisis.  And apparently, some of those people were frozen.  Perhaps they were using their fear of Assyrians as buttress for laziness.  Perhaps they were using their fear of having to change as an anchor for their foolishness.  Perhaps they were using their fear of being wrong as a defense of error.  But an astonishing number of these prophets weave an unusual solution to fear in their messages.

They say, “Don’t fear… get to work.”

Zephaniah says, “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.” (Zeph 3:16 ESV)

Zechariah says, “Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” (Zech 8:13 ESV)

Joel even tells the animals to fear not and get to work: : “Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.” (Joel 2:22)

God saves His people.  Because there is work to be done.

Fear not… get to work.

Fear Not, because of Yesterday

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! (Joel 2:21)

Fear Not because of Yesterday

I didn’t trust my 1978 Jeep Cherokee.  The only reliable thing about it was the fact that it was unreliable.  No matter the season, the weather, or how long it had been since I’d driven it, I was afraid it wouldn’t start.  Or that it would stall.  Or that it would make this strange noise (a sort of gurgley-bang) and suddenly accelerate.  The headlights would sometimes blink, and the interior lights were usually on. 

But I trust my Honda Accord.  The engines purrs to life exactly when I need it to.  It has never stalled.  The accessories accessorize.  The headlights, turn-signals, heater, and the interior lights adjust to a finger’s touch.  The features… feat?

I trust the Accord (and didn’t trust the Cherokee) for one reason:  yesterday.  I didn’t wake up suddenly with trust (or mistrust.)  Yesterday’s activities cause tomorrow’s trust.  And yesterday’s activities cause tomorrow’s fear.

The history of God is, simply, that the Lord has done great things.  When the prophet Joel recalls God’s great things, he probably would prefer we would capitalize the words like this:  The Lord has done GREAT THINGS.

The Creation of all things out of nothing, from galaxies to quarks.  The Grace and Mercy of Adam’s fall and promise of Redemption.   Astonishingly, God’s promise to Adam was fulfilled thousands of years before the death needed to pay for Adam’s sin occurred.  Adam was saved on credit!  God’s formation, protection, and development of a people before it was cool to BE a nation.  He guided Israel through wealth to slavery to freedom to training to coming home to peace to prosperity to power to POWER through rebellion through patience through prophets through last chances to the end of last chanches to exile… through waiting… to return to fulfillment to FULFILLMENT to a new type of nation to you.

And I skipped a lot of things.

But I am not sure that Joel was merely thinking of that history (some of which he hadn’t experienced, of course.)  But I expect Joel was thinking about what God had done personally to Joel.  And locally around Joel.  And in sight of Joel.  And in Joel’s hearing.

Joel had seen that God was good.  All the time.   And all the time, God was good.

When sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, that fear can be met with our knowledge of yesterday.  Whether our own yesterday, or yesteryear.  God has done GREAT THINGS.

So fear not.

Fear Not, because of Christ's Bride

Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news;

       lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news;

lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah,

“Behold your God!” (Isaiah 40:9 ESV)

The church today needs a new PR director.  Churches are portrayed in entertainment as, well… entertaining.  Something to laugh at.  Something outdated, irrelevant, toothless, unhelpful and absolutely unnecessary.

I think it’s our own fault.  We have spent decades compromising, defining our truths according to the world’s definitions, and most of all forgetting the Majesty of the One we follow.

We fear the competition (God’s Word doesn’t seem as interesting as Netflix!)  We fear being wrong (the humanist community seem so confident!) We fear offending (Sin almost has become a democratically defined event…) And we fear that the invisible, foundational, and deep God we love is not as attractive, practical, and graspable as anything and everything else.

But really this is nothing new.  The people in Isaiah’s day feared the same thing. 

Not only do we seem to have so many HUGE things to fear lately, but the very thing God has given us to find hope has become lost. 

But don’t despair, says Isaiah.

He describes someone bringing good news.  Good news in the context of fear.  In fact, the good news IS: Don’t be afraid. 

But notice something about that good news.   It is news associated with a particular place.  The news is supposed to be brought up to a high mountain, to Jerusalem, to the cities of Judah.  Not only are Jerusalem and the Judean cities symbolic of God’s people, but so is the mountain.  It’s not any old hill.  It’s one of two places… whenever Isaiah talks about a high mountain he either means the Temple Mount, or Mount Sinai.  To me, it doesn’t matter which one you choose.

These are all pictures of God being with His people.

Good news, opposing fear, is found where God is present with His people.  He sends His good news directly to His people.  In Isaiah’s time, to the temple.  In our time, to the church.  Not near the church.  Not to church-imitating self-help studios.

But to the church.  “Behold your God,” Isaiah says… The good news is being sent here.

And when we recall that the real bringer of good news is the Messiah, and the Mountain, Zion, and cities of Judah are His Bride… it’s even a better picture.

The church has the job right now of bringing God’s hope, fighting against fear.  Come listen.

Fear Not because God says so

These verses from Isaiah are THE anti-fear verses in Scripture.  I tried for quite a while to comment on them, describe them, make them more understandable.  But I couldn’t find words.  Maybe because these are enough.   Isaiah reminds me of where I came from, and who God is to me.  I urge you to not skim them.  Truth is often found in repetition.  So here is Isaiah 41:8-10.  Eight times from different translations.  Fear Not.  God says so.

But you, Israel, my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

9     you whom I took from the ends of the earth,

and called from its farthest corners,

       saying to you, “You are my servant,

I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

10    fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

       I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

         “But you, Israel, are my servant.

                        You’re Jacob, my first choice,

                        descendants of my good friend Abraham.

                  I pulled you in from all over the world,

                        called you in from every dark corner of the earth,

                  Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.

                        I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’

                  Don’t panic. I’m with you.

                        There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

                  I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.

                        I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

8 But you, Israel, my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

descendant of Abraham, my friend—

9 I brought you from the ends of the earth

and called you from its farthest corners.

I said to you: You are my servant;

I have chosen you; I haven’t rejected you.

10 Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you; I will help you;

I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

8 But you, Israel my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

offspring of Abraham, whom I love,

9 you whom I took

from the ends of the earth

and called from its farthest corners,

saying to you, “You are my servant;

I chose you and didn’t reject you:”

10 Don’t fear, because I am with you;

don’t be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

I will surely help you;

I will hold you

with my righteous strong hand.

8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen,

you, the ⌊offspring⌋ of Abraham my ⌊friend⌋,

9 you whom I grasped from the ends of the earth

and called from its remotest parts

and told, “You are my servant;

I have chosen you and I have not rejected you.”

10 You must not fear, for I am with you;

you must not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, indeed I will help you,

indeed I will take hold of you with the right hand of my salvation.

8     “But you, Israel, are My servant,

Jacob whom I have chosen,

The descendants of Abraham My friend.

9    You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,

And called from its farthest regions,

And said to you,

‘You are My servant,

I have chosen you and have not cast you away:

10   Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

8 —And thou, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, Seed of Abraham, My lover, 9Whom I have taken hold of, from the ends of the earth, And from its near places I have called thee, And I say to thee, My servant Thou art, I have chosen thee, and not rejected thee.

      10 Be not afraid, for with thee I am, Look not around, for I am thy God, I have strengthened thee, Yea, I have helped thee, yea, I upheld thee, With the right hand of My righteousness.

8 But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham My friend, [Heb. 2:16; James 2:23.]

9 You whom I [the Lord] have taken from the ends of the earth and have called from the corners of it, and said to you, You are My servant—I have chosen you and not cast you off [even though you are exiled].

10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

The English Standard Version, The Message, The Christian Standard Bible, The Common English Bible, The Lexham English Bible, the New King James Version, Young’s Literal Translation, and the Amplified Bible.

Fear Not, because of Work and Prayer

Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,

“Be strong; fear not!

Behold, your God

will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God.

He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:3–4)

I didn’t know how I was going to move that HUGE block of concrete a few yards, to make a planter for DeAnne.  The block was actually the foundation/frame of the original well for our house, and rather than destroy it, we had decided to make use of it.  But having decided, I found out I couldn’t move it one inch.  I tried pushing.  I tried pulling.  I tried the mechanical aids I had at my disposal. 

But then I asked for help.  I hired a Man with a Machine.  As big as the block was, THIS machine was bigger!   I called.  He came.  We conquered!

But from the moment I made contact with him, my heart found peace.  At least in the whole ‘block-moving’ arena.  I no longer worried.  I no longer felt the shame of my failure.  I no longer feared.  I just had to get to work.

Isaiah was speaking to people who, having heard his warnings, were afraid.  A monstrous (in size and temperament) enemy was going to smash God’s people.  God’s patience, perhaps, had reached the end.  And discipline was coming.  And was there. 

And is here.

So you, like them, might be afraid.  This discipline might not be as bad as some first feared.  It might be worse than anticipated.  The people of God aren’t facing an enemy nation, but we are facing an enemy worldview, a threatening mindset, a devastated economy, and a serious health disaster.   And while Isaiah isn’t standing in our churches shouting… his warnings against God’s people drifting, shifting, and forgetting Him seem to be speaking into our ears.  If we have ears to hear.

And Isaiah was told to tell US, too, not to fear.

But that doesn’t mean, “relax and do nothing… it’s alright… take a deep breath and smile.  Oh, and watch some Netflix… it’ll all be over soon.”

He describes what to do about our fear immediately before and after he encourages us to, “fear not.”

First, he reminds us that it is GOD who saves.  He uses many methods to save us from various troubles, but all methods are attached to and strung from HIM.   We can choose to stop being afraid when we know that He will come and save us.  That He HAS come and saved us.

Secondly, Isaiah demonstrates what our part in our own help is.   He refers to strengthening our hands, and firming our knees.  I don’t believe that Isaiah is randomly mentioning body parts. 

Our hands symbolize our work.  Doing the next right thing that we are called to do.  Not so much pondering those things that are too wonderful for us, but doing our work.   Perhaps we would be less afraid if we were at work.  There is nothing wrong with thinking, or reasoning, or studying… but here Isaiah seems to be saying that we meet fear NOT with more knowledge, or understanding, or special insight.  But knowing God, we work.  Understanding His Word, we work.  The Holy Spirit’s insights give us reason and impetus to work.

And Isaiah’s reference to our knees remind us, perhaps, of prayer.  On our knees in supplication.  On our knees in worship.  On our knees in humble approach to the Mighty King.  We can meet fear with humble adoring prayer and worship.

It’s interesting that both of Isaiah’s directions for meeting fear have little to do with the actual problem causing the fear.

He’s saying, “Fear not!  Whatever you face, God will save you!  Pray/worship… and do your work.

Fear Not... because there is a Conspiracy

 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.  But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:11–14 ESV).

Fear Not, because there is a Conspiracy!

What do you think of conspiracies?  Theories about them are more common today than mosquitoes.  And maybe just as annoying.   I once quipped, “I don’t believe in conspiracies… people just plan stuff.”  If you listen to ‘the news’ you WILL hear about conspiracies today.  Both sides claim the other side has them.  All sides claim someone else is planning stuff. 

And when my search for ‘fear not’ in God’s message to us brought the word CONSPIRACY to my eyes, I was uncomfortable.  What is Isaiah saying, here?  What is GOD saying here?  Are conspiracies real?  Are conspiracies worth fearing?  Are conspiracies behind our present crises? 

CONSPIRACY refers to behind-the-scenes reason(s) why things happen.  Or might be happening.  Or could be happening.  Noting a conspiracy is both more and less than simply suspecting that a cabal of cigar-smoking (or Kale-eating) powermongers are controlling the press, economics, and government policy.  Hunting for a conspiracy means that you don’t trust your eyes, your ears, and the news to be telling you what REALLY is happening… WHY things are happening… WHO is really the ACTOR in current events.

In Isaiah’s time, apparently some folk were afraid because they observed that society has puppet-masters.  Things don’t just happen.  Some people have more power than others.  (Often hidden from public view.) 

And knowing (or suspecting) those conspiracies is usually the same thing as fearing them.  No one notes a conspiracy and says, “wow… cool!  I feel SO much better knowing that someone is busy offstage!”

So Isaiah adds Conspiracies to the list of things we should not fear.

It’s like God had this era in mind when He inspired Isaiah’s speech.  Because we live in a day of fear of conspiracy. 

There IS a conspiracy!  It’s God.  Whether or not the Democrats or Republicans are up to something is irrelevant. 

Because there IS a reason every single thing is happening.   It’s God.  The puppet-master, the planner, the driver of events, economy, and government policy is God Himself.

Interesting that in Isaiah’s paragraph we see instructions of “do not fear” and “fear.”

Isaiah doesn’t say there are NOT conspiracies.  (as much as I want him to…)

He says there is a conspiracy that is WORTH fearing.  Something behind the scenes unseen, unnoticed, with an agenda!  An agenda that is purely and simply FOR HIS OWN GLORY.  But also, according to Paul (and ALL of God’s Word) for the grand, glorious, GOOD of His People! 

Fear it?  Only in exactly the same way that we might be fearing the smaller conspiracies.  But when we consider the commonly feared conspiracies, put them in the right perspective.  What power THEY have, He has MORE!  What skill they have, HE has MORE!  What control THEY have, He laughs at and incorporates into HIS control. 

So how does fearing HIM decrease our Fear?

Because those conspiracies are selfish, greedy, power-absorbing, and unknown. 

But HIS conspiracy is love! Provision! ALREADY power! And known!

Look around you and suspect conspiracies if you wish… but let those searches remind you of HIM.  Let those conspiracies (like EVERYTHING in creation!) point you to The One True Living God, Jahweh… known and approached and found through His Son, Jesus the Christ.  The King behind the scenes and on the front of the stage!

Fear not, because He is THE conspiracy!

Fear Not, because God Wins the Time War

And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. (Isaiah 7:4 ESV)

Fear Not, because of Time.

I used to be afraid of roller coasters.  Even though I couldn’t seem to stop myself from riding, those moments just before reaching the first apex were simply eye-widening terror.  But eventually I realized that no matter how terrible the terror, it didn’t last long.  Even when it seemed to last forever, roller coasters are quite fast.  The longest lasting roller coaster in the world is the Steel Dragon 2000 in Japan.  It lasts less than four minutes.

Why be afraid of something that only lasts four minutes?

Isaiah is making the same point to King Ahaz.  He’s being attacked by two powerful nations.  Fierce, experienced, and cruel, Ahaz’s enemies were the threat of the age.  But as awe-inspiring as the threats of  Syria (King Rezin) and Israel (King Remaliah) were, they would be minimized in less than 65 years.  God, on the other hand, lives forever.  Ahaz doesn’t need to fear something that is gone in the blink of an eye, compared to God.

The same is true for almost anything we are afraid of today.  These things that we fear are but a blink of an eye, compared to our eternal God.

The wrong President in Power?  … blink…

A political plan? … blink…

A pandemic? … blink…

Economic ebb and flow? … blink…

A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? … blink…

In fact, God’s existence in eternity is the trump card for any fear that knocks at our door.  While our troubles are scary, when we remember that we join God in eternal life from the point of our conversion onward, their emotional power fades away.

After 10,000 years in heaven we won’t have any reason to remember the Pandemic of 2020.  Any more than here on earth people remember Ozymandias.  We remember this powerful ancient king from a hint in a poem, and a ruin in a desert.  His (probably) terrifying reign was but a blink of an eye. 

Fear not, because God wins the time war.

Don't Be Afraid, Oh Birds

  He will cover you with His pinions,

and under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. (Psalm 91:4–6 ESV)

Birds are skittish, right?  I have never had a bird as a pet, but from my observation of birds, they run first, and ask questions later.  If I walk towards a bird, even with good intentions, a bird will fly. 

Maybe that’s why Psalm 91 is written about birds.  Because we are often skittish, like birds.  When we think an enemy is nigh, we commonly flee.  Perhaps by putting our head in the sand.   Perhaps by squawking loudly and getting ready to jump.  Perhaps by running towards the problem, with the hope that IT will be more skittish than us…

I am wondering whether or not we should change the phrase to: “Scaredy-bird.”

But even for emotional birds, Christ is a comfort.  He covers us with HIS pinions.  We find refuge under HIS wings.  HE is a shield.   The night doesn’t have anything He can’t handle.  The dangers that ‘hunt’ us will fail.  Diseases that are shadowy, unknown, and unseen aren’t stronger than Him.  And the exhaustion of our wasting energy at midday can’t destroy anyone He is protecting.

Notice that the Psalmist doesn’t tell us all the things WE need to do for Christ’s protection.  Our arms don’t hold effective shields.  We can’t see in the dark.  We can’t understand the mysteries of the unknown.  We can’t renew our own strength.

Another Psalm continues this bird theme when we read that in HIM, our strength will rise up like an eagle.  His strength, transferred somehow to us.

Admit we are like birds… and hide under HIS wings.

Fear Not.  Don’t be a bird anymore.

Don't Be Afraid... the Resurrection!

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20:14–16).

Admittedly, Jesus did not say, “Fear Not” to Mary.  But really, isn’t that what He was saying?  Fear not… grieve not… worry not… yearn no more… I’m Here Again!

There’s a lot in that one word, “Mary.”

Just like there is a lot in that one moment of Christ’s Resurrection.  It’s one microsecond of an event.  But it changes everything.

The WORST thing that can happen, death, is de-fanged.

The WORST result of our sin, death, is changed.

The WORST enemy of God and God’s people, is vanquished.

So no matter what you are facing… no matter how bad your morning… no matter what trouble, pain, worry, or low expectations are keeping you from joy, Jesus is looking at you and saying your name.  But what He means is, “Fear Not.”

Don’t be afraid… because of the Resurrection.

Fear Not, because of Righteousness

            For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.

            He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

            His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Psalm 112:6-8 ESV

Fear Not because of Righteousness

Those who are righteous have nothing to fear.  Bad news doesn’t worry them.  No enemy can stand up to righteousness.  Righteousness causes firm hearts, honor, and steadiness.

All it takes to have a successful, peaceful, victorious life is righteousness.  It doesn’t take cleverness, intelligence, experience, practice, common sense, family connections, a good plan, financial resources, true grit, courage, physical strength, health, a firm will, or anything else.   It takes nothing more or less than righteousness.

Why is righteousness the necessary ingredient? Why is righteousness the one element that can absolutely remove fear?  Perhaps righteousness lines us up on God’s side, so righteousness is always on the Right side.  Perhaps righteousness is what humans were created for, so righteousness has the effect of living our lives the way the Creator intended.  Perhaps righteousness gives our lives positive balance in the karmic scale so the universe smiles on our efforts and grants us happy faces and peace? 

Ok, that last one is not serious… but for whatever reason, Psalm 112 tells us that when it comes to life, it is righteousness that matters.  Righteousness wins.  Righteousness is the determining factor in facing enemies, reputation, confidence, and true peace.

Instead of encouraging us to “Fear Not,” that should give us MORE reason to be afraid!  I’ve tried to be righteous, and I’ve failed.  I’ve tried HARD to be righteous, and I’ve failed.  I am not righteous.

In The Wizard of Oz, the scarecrow declares that his life would be grand, if he only had a brain.  The Lion knows that HIS life would be stellar if he had courage.  The Tinman is sure that he would overcome all obstacles if he had a heart.  And while we discover at the end of the movie, that they do have those things, I realize that while I might have a brain, courage, and a heart, I do NOT have righteousness.

If I need righteousness for peace, success, or survival, I am in trouble.

And so are you.

But Psalm 112 actually DOES remove fear.

Because the righteousness that we can depend on is not ours.  The righteousness that is sure, solid, foundational, and that guarantees the defeat of ALL enemies is found in Jesus Christ.  And therefor it is absolute.  Therefor it is dependable.  Therefor it gives us the opportunity to FEAR NOT.

If we try to face down our fears by reaching deep inside to find that inner courage, strength, or even righteousness, we will end our day in failure and fear.  If we try to face down our fears by trying harder, thinking smarter, or changing how we feel, we will end our day in darkness and despair.

But knowing that it is RIGHTEOUSNESS for which God looks, and knowing that RIGHTEOUSNESS is found in Jesus Christ, the perfect God/Man can make fears wither and melt and become like smoke in a hurricane.

Even if I can be righteous for a minute moment, relying on my own righteousness just gives me another reason to fear.  I’ll fail again.  But Jesus has already proven His righteousness.  He has already won that battle.  He lived and died and lived again in perfect righteousness.  And so if HIS righteousness can count as MINE… than fear can disappear.

You see, I can be righteous and end fear.  But not by my actions, obedience, or willpower.  I can be righteous by accepting the exchange that Christ offers on the cross.  His righteousness for my unrighteousness.  My unrighteousness for His righteousness.

Fear Not… because of Christ’s Righteousness.

Fear Not because God's World is BROAD

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:5,6 ESV)

Broad and Narrow

It’s not unusual to read in Scripture of God’s help.  It’s what He does.  But Psalm 118 adds a twist.  “Out of my distress…” brings a specific word into focus.

Distress is not just a synonym for trouble.  Distress is a particular kind of trouble.  Distress refers to being constrained, being trapped, being pushed into a narrow confining set of circumstances. 

Have you ever felt that your choices were being taken away, so that the only choices you have left are bad ones?  THAT is distress.

Psalm 18 and Psalm 31 give us context, actually.  While we sometimes think God narrows our action-choices, He actually broadens our options.  He is King of the universe!  He has all of time in his demesnes!  His Law is not given to us to say, “DON’T do that!” But rather to draw us a map of all that we CAN do.  We get to know that there is ONE God, and He’s grand.  We get to know His NAME.  We get to know how He wants us to approach Him.  Every part of God’s Law shows us how grandiose it is to be in His Will.

It seems that right now our choices and options are severely limited.  And that feels like distress.    But Psalm 118 tells us that even in distress, that we have nothing to fear.  God’s broad love, power, understanding and map of the universe are the answer to our distress.

This, too, is a part of His fantastical plan for EACH of His people!  Maybe we shouldn’t be getting out and about… but that let’s us focus on our relationship with HIM.  Maybe we are feeling the pressure of economic restraint… but that let’s us be aware of what does not rust or decay.   Maybe we are stir crazy… but that gives us the time to form new habits, better habits, more God-focused habits.

And maybe this time away is exactly what we need to know ourselves better.  To repent of our wandering minds and hearts.  To know HIM more, and therefore experience less distress, because He is bigger than any state mandate, broader than any limitation, expansive in His love of YOU.

With Jesus in your living room… we have no distress.  There is so much to do!

Fear not, God is BIGGER than our distress.

Fear Not... GOD is our Refuge and Strength

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

(Psalm 46:1-3 ESV)

Fear Not because GOD is our Refuge and Strength

Earthquakes, mountains falling into the sea, and tsunamis are pretty scary.  I’ve never really experienced any of them, but my imagination can bridge the gap between the tremors, road construction avalanches, and stormy seas that I HAVE experienced and the terror that this Psalm describes.

The Psalm begins by declaring that God is both refuge and strength.  A place to hide and the source of all strength.  But it’s not just a listing of God’s statistics, like the back of a baseball card.  The point of a refuge and strength is that God helps.

In trouble… a very present help.

Because as terrifying as earthquakes, mountains moving, and tsunamis are, those things are also referencing some bigger troubles.  The symbols in this Psalm are as rich for the Israelites as a Bald Eagle, Uncle Sam, and a blind lady holding a set of scales might be for us today.  The Sea, the Mountains, and Shaking Earth brought more to mind for them than geological or meteorological events.

The Sea was the place of chaos and evil.  It was separated from the good earth early during creation week.  The Sea was where God’s Orderliness was least visible.  Jonah’s retreat into the Sea was not just a vacation, it was a rejection and desertion of God’s Way, and a setting of Jonah’s face and will against God.  

The Mountains are not just any old snow-crusted peaks.  These are the Hills of Jerusalem, especially Zion itself.  The place that most clearly represents God’s power and presence.  It’s God’s apparent headquarters.  THAT Mountain slipping into the Sea drew a picture of God’s Way, God’s People, God’s Rule slipping away into chaos, evil, and darkness.

It meant that God appears to lose.

This is even more clear when another Mountain is mentioned.  A shaking Mountain for the Israelites refers to Sinai itself.    The place and time of God’s MAKING of His people.  The place and time of God’s PRESENTATION of His Law and Laws.  And here, in this Psalm, we see that very place and time overwhelmed by the swelling Sea.

Sometimes it does seem that God is losing.  His Symbols falling, His institutions flailing, His people faithless.  But these words are meant to remind us that God is bigger and better and stronger and safer than His Symbols.  That HE is our refuge.  That HE is our strength. 

The Selah at the end is intended for us to move away from trusting in anything but God Himself.  He usually does use His usual methods to help, to assist, to fix, to lift.   But don’t mistake those things with God Himself.

Because Mountains will sometimes fall into the Sea.   Because the Mountain will seem to tremble at the power of chaos.

But God Himself is our refuge.   God Himself is our Strength.

And remember that Jesus established Himself over the Mountains by His cleansing the Temple… by the transfiguration… by Satan’s temptations… by His fulfillment of the Law… Remember that Jesus established Himself over the Sea by His calming of the storm(S!)… by His walking on the water… by His turning water into Wine.

Fear not… because even over the Sea and the Mountain is Christ Jesus.

Fear Not... Quarantine?

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

       though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

       that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

       to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:3,4 ESV

Maybe, just maybe,  quarantine is the best place to weather COVID-19, the wild media, the economic terror, and the expanding government. If so, it’s a different sort of quarantine.

The contrast in this Psalm is about home.   On the one hand, the enemy army is encamped.  It has put down stakes.  It is now living, threatening, actively warring against the Psalmist right over there.  It has made a home that is dangerous for him, for me, for us.

But he finds hope: dwelling in the house of the Lord.  Look, in the midst of danger, the Psalmist seeks not a bigger army, or better weapons, or a ninja-hero.  He seeks the house of the Lord. 

It’s all about where you are settled.  Where you dwell.  Where home is.

He doesn’t cower under the bed.  He doesn’t turn off the lamps and peek at the army dwelling next door.  He doesn’t moan and weep and shiver and cover his eyes.

He wants to DWELL in the house of the Lord.  He wants to LIVE here.  He wants to GAZE upon the Lord’s glorious beauty.  He wants to be thinking about God instead of the army. 

And the Psalmist, while writing about a physical temple, already understands the enviable situation that we have today.  WE are the temple of God.  WE are where God lives, His house, His presence, His dwelling place!

And I’m not talking about a church building.  The contrast to the enemy dwelling at the gates is God HIMSELF, in Christ, through His Spirit living HERE.  With US, stuck at home but not alone… never alone… never forsaken. 

Fear not… we are quarantined with HIM.

Fear Not... Rejoice!

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)

Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, John 12:15 (ESV)

Grumpy sleuths might look at these two verses and think that when the author of the gospel quotes Zechariah, he makes a mistake.

Zechariah says, ‘Rejoice greatly.’  The gospel says, ‘Fear not.’ 

But there is no contradiction because one of the opposites of fear is rejoicing.   Where fear reigns, rejoicing can’t be found.  Where rejoicing sings, fear is outcast.  This is one reason that God’s Word presents worship as an antidote to fear.

So yesterday, where the world felt fear, God’s people, in worship rejoiced!

So yesterday, when the world hid, God’s people, in worship rejoiced!

So yesterday, if the world timidly looked away, God’s people in worship rejoiced!

Are you afraid?  Then worship!  At any moment when the fear monster’s fangs are dripping near your throat, lift your eyes towards heaven instead and rejoice!

Are you afraid? Then worship!  If you are unable to find solace in corporate worship at the moment, then at least worship with a small ‘w,’ remembering God’s goodness, proclaiming God’s loving power, and opening your hearts to His comfort!

Are you afraid?  Then worship! Because the King has come… riding on a donkey’s colt… right up to your front door!

Fear not… rejoice!

Fear Not, but Listen

At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth. (Job 5:22 ESV)

This sounds like an arrogant statement. Laugh at destruction and famine? Those are serious things! Not fear the beasts of the earth? What about a T-Rex? Or a Bengal Tiger? Or a snake???

But God is making an important point here. ALL of those things are physical things. ALL of those things are a part of creation. ALL of those things are visible, tangible, and cause our hearts to beat faster.

Our civilization, society, and neighbors tell us there is nothing more frightening than physical things that are known to be strong. Humans fear physics more than we fear metaphysics. (Hallowe’en antics aside.)

But God reigns both in the physical world AND the metaphysical world.

It’s not that destruction, famine, and beasts are not scary.

But God is more powerful, more in control, and higher on the chain of authority.

It’s not comfortable to think about this. But a few verses earlier God also tells us WHY something scary might be happening.

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17)

Telling us to laugh at scary things does not mean we should take them lightly. Because their power is nothing compared to God’s. But don’t despise them, either. Don’t belittle them. Don’t ignore them.

They are God at work. Disciplining. Teaching? Reproving? Guiding? Yes… not punishing… but getting our attention.

Fear Not those things, God says… but listen.

Knowing and Seeing

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  (II Kings 6:15-17 ESV)

Knowing vs Seeing

Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, learned the difference between what you can see, and what you can know.  That morning, when Gehazi’s eyes saw the army that surrounded him, he was afraid.  His senses (his sight, his hearing, maybe even his smell) convinced him that doom had arrived. 

But Elisha understood that there is a knowing beyond our senses.  Elisha understood that while our senses are indeed useful, and necessary, and tools for learning, God is more than what we can see, or hear, or smell, or taste, or feel.

And the difference between sensing and knowing is the difference between fear and peace.

It’s not that our senses are foundationally unreliable.  Those chariots were real.  Those horses were there.  That loud army was big, and skilled, and eager.  But our senses are not the whole portrait. 

Elisha understood that even though that big, real, active army was dangerous, the God who loved him was bigger, more real, and more active.  And I commend Elisha.  He chose knowledge instead of fear.  He chose the big picture instead of narrow focus.  He chose God instead of an army.

And he didn’t know as much as we do!  Because in between Elisha’s time and our time is Jesus.  Elisha hoped in a Redeemer, but from our perspective, the Redeemer has come.  Elisha had to trust that God’s Words were true, but we have seen that God keeps His promises.  We’ve seen what Jesus has done.

And if Elisha’s very small bigger knowledge was enough to overcome his fear… our bigger bigger knowledge stomps on fear, laughs at fear, shakes it’s head at fear, and ends fear.

We don’t face a high-tech army like Gehazi and Elisha did.  We don’t face an angry empire like Gehazi and Elisha did. We don’t face human military action like Gehazi and Elisha did.

But whatever you fear today, God has a bigger truth.  Whatever is making you ask, “Master, what shall we do???” God is already doing what you need.  Whatever physical, emotional, or spiritual worries wake you up in the middle of the night…

God says, “Do not be afraid… “  Because Christ has ensured that God is with you.

Fear not.

Superstitions and Fears

And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’ “ I Kings 17:13,14

Don’t Fear Superstitions

There is reality… and there is superstition.   Today, many people seem to be saying that God’s Word, God’s full involvement in every event here on earth, and even God Himself are superstitions. 

For Elijah’s friend, her reality might have been the danger of hunger.  And since her reality was so threatening, she was afraid.  Afraid for her family.  Afraid for her life.  Afraid.

But Elijah tells her that there is something more than her perceived reality.  In a way, Elijah is telling her that the TRUE reality (which reads better than REAL reality, but that is what I meant) is actually God.  HIS promises are more trustworthy.  HIS presence is more foundational.  HIS actions are more solid, more important, and more necessary.

He is telling her that in a way, her hunger is the superstition.  Her danger is the superstition.  The threats against her are the superstition.

Because God stands above them all.

Our fears come from superstitions.  Those things that we have come to believe, but that have no basis in God-fact. 

I can imagine the neighbors of Elijah’s friend mocking her.  Calling her superstitious.  Belittling her provision from God.   But they were believing in the superstitions of cause and effect (without God,) the observable being more important than the Invisible, and that tragedy is combatable by anything other than the One True Living God.

Don’t trust in superstitions.  Believe in God… and Fear Not.

Fear Not... (Like Mephibosheth)

 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”( II Samuel 9:7)

God calls David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22, I Samuel 13:14.)  So when David’s right acts are recorded in Scripture, it gives us a window into what God’s heart is like.

Mephibosheth (hereafter referred to as Mephy) didn’t have much to look forward to in life.  He was from a previous royal family that was now seen as a threat to the Davidic line.  He had no land, no inheritance, and probably few possessions.  Even the place where he is reputed to live Lo Dabar probably means, ‘no field.’  And he was crippled.  In a time before Federal Welfare, Mephy had no way to make a living, no way to defend himself or his household, and no way take part in his society.

And suddenly King David starts paying attention to him.  Mephy, already at the bottom of his barrel, already without prospect, already without hope has nothing left but fear.

Not often, but I’ve felt that way.  Sometimes fear is not a reaction to some impending tragedy, but is the only thing we have left.  Maybe job-less, maybe money-less, maybe health-less, but also hopeless.

And nothing left but fear.

But David shines.  He gives Mephy a job, money, health-options… but mostly:  hope.

He replaces Mephy’s fear with hope.ear not, he says… instead take this real, tangible, emotional, spiritual hope.

Today, the news, our logic, our expectations might be leading you to have nothing left but fear.  The economy is crashing.  Our prospects look dim.  We have lost community, lost security, and are losing the edges of civilization. 

But David and God say, “Fear not.” 

Behind the scenes, David had already declared what he was going to do for Mephibosheth.  He was going to restore him, empower him, and bless him.

And God has declared what He is going to do for us, His people, too.  Restore us (even beyond THIS crisis,) empower us (even beyond THIS crisis,) and bless us (even beyond THIS crisis.)

Fellow cripples, outcasts, adrift folk:   Fear Not!

Fear Not... Because God is Patient

And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.” Judges 6:10

Fear Not because of God’s Patience

The Israelites living in the times of the Judges fell into a pattern.  They would forget God.  God would send trouble to goad them back to Him.  They would respond in faith.  God would send a deliverer.  The people would worship God.  But then they would forget… and the cycle would start again.

God sent a prophet to the Israelites at the point where God had sent trouble… this time in the form of the fierce Amorites.  They were the toughest folk in the region.  And the people were instantly afraid.

And God tells them not to fear.  He reminds them of HIM.  The Lord, mighty.  The Lord, fiercer than Amorites.  The Lord, almighty!

But God also reminds them of why the Amorites were so active.  He reminds the Israelites that this is THEIR fault. 

And then God continues His redemptive cycle.

God, you see, is patient.  While I would probably let Israel get away with this cycle three times… or MAYBE four.  God is patient.  I imagine Jesus was remembering God’s cycle of forgiveness when the disciples asked how many times they had to forgive…

The cycle ended with Jesus.  The ultimate forgiveness.  The ultimate powerful WOW act.  It ended with Grace and Mercy.

“Fear Not” doesn’t mean ignore the trouble.  “Fear Not” doesn’t mean keep on with the same “not obeying God’s voice” that gets us INTO the trouble we face.  “Fear Not” doesn’t mean the Amorites will quickly go back home.

“Fear Not” means understand what God is doing.  Learn.  Change.  But know that God is patient.  Know that nothing, no one, no thing is bigger than HIM.  And He loves you.

And so, even in the midst of the cycle, God tells Israel to Fear Not.

And He tells us that, too.  That’s why this story is in His Bible.  Remember God’s patience.  And fear not.

Fear Not... because God!

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Fear Not, because GOD

I don’t have as many things to fear as the Israelites entering Canaan did.  They were about to cross the Jordan River and start the difficult process of taking the Promised Land.  Canaanites were good, well equipped soldiers.  Canaanites were cruel, ferocious, and BIG.

And more than that… they were right there physically in front of the Israelites.  Canaanites, Sihonites, Mideanites, and ALL the Ites were not just an idea.  They were not off there in the future.  They were NOT maybe-ites.  

If Israel was going to have the Promised Land, something real and practical and scary was in the way.

And Moses was quitting the leadership job!  The ONE man they could depend on was retiring.  The proven general, the experienced guide, the one who had proved himself over and over again was not going to help them with this next HUGE task.

When Moses tells them, “Fear Not!” he hit the nail on the head.

But look carefully at what Moses says.  Yes, Moses is declaring Joshua to be the heir.  He was expected people to listen to Joshua, to obey Joshua, to support Joshua.

But Moses doesn’t say, “Fear not, Josh’s a pretty cool guy.”

Moses doesn’t say, “Remember when Joshua held my arms up?  Let Josh hold YOU up!”

Moses doesn’t give Joshua’s credentials, resume, or skill list.

Moses says that Jahweh God… the Amighty… the Creator… the King of Kings… the MASTER will never leave you.  Even when you are facing giants.  Even when you are outnumbered, out arrowed, and out positioned.  God will help.  He might use Joshua, as He used Moses… but God will help!

And Moses tells us the same thing.  Don’t depend on medicine, or Social Distancing, or statistics, or wise leaders, or economic stimuli, or insurance, or caution, or courage, or experience, or science.

Depend on God.  He might use any or all of those things.  But the best (the only) cure for fear is to remember who God is… and trust Him.

And therefore Fear Not.