Fear Not, Because of God's Miter Box

Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. (Haggai 2:4,5 ESV)

When cutting moldings and baseboards, I used a home-made Miter Box.  Made from some sort of hardwood, my Miter Box was a framework to hold the molding in place, while a saw could cut the wood at pre-set angles.  This Box was very old.  I think my father made it before I was born. 

Having tried a few times to make those angle cuts ‘by eye,’ I appreciated the reliability of that device.  It always held the saw exactly in the right place.  It never allowed error.  My Miter Box did what it implied, intended, and promised.  It gave my projects order.

Haggai wrote to the exiles who had returned back to Jerusalem.  After they had begun rebuilding the Temple (you can read about those efforts in Ezra and Nehemiah,) they had run out of steam.  The troubles were just too much.  Many years had gone by, but the Temple remained unfinished.  God had sent Haggai to get them back on track.

The Jews were living in a time of chaos.  Their economy was unstable.  Their neighbors did not want them to finish the Temple.  They were broke, tired, and afraid.

God reminded them to relax… because He was their Miter Box.  Despite apparent chaos, their CORE (their spirit, through the Spirit) was solid.  Despite apparent insecurity, their future (just like their past) was secure.  Despite apparent exhaustion, their strength (by God’s true promises) was dependable.  Despite apparent isolation, they (in God’s presence) were not alone.

God’s presence made all the difference.  They had just forgotten it.

Fear not, because of God’s Miter Box

Fear Not, Because Nations Are Merely Nations

Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. (Jeremiah 46:28 ESV)

The number of jokes that begin, “there are two kinds of people in the world” are legion.  My absolute favorite is: “There are three kinds of people in the world.  Those that can count… and those that can’t.” 

But here God is not telling a joke.  He is stating a fact. 

There are two kinds of people in the world.  The people who are God’s People.  And the people who are not God’s people.  And those two groups are very different, as God sees them.

And while the blessings He gives His people do slosh over onto those who are not His people (Matthew 5:45,) God is at work teaching, helping, guiding, protecting, redeeming, saving, sanctifying, and loving His people.  (Romans 8:28)

God is His people’s champion.  God is His people’s potter.  God is His people’s biggest fan. 

God’s people are God’s focus.  God’s people are God’s purpose (after the purpose of declaring HIS glory…) God’s people are God’s explanation of current events, the rise and fall of kings and nations, and history itself.

It might be unnerving, if not downright scary, to observe as nations rise and fall.  Especially if we are in the middle of it.  As Jeremiah was experiencing the rise of mighty Babylon, as well as the fall of mighty Israel, he would have reason to be afraid.   God told His people, though, not to be afraid when that happens.  Because even in BIG things like this… God is working for His people’s sake.

As we observe the rise and fall of political parties, leaders, and maybe even nations as we have known them… God gives us that same message.  His concern is rightly, justly, and lovingly for His people.  And His promise is that His people will endure.  More than that, His people will prosper.

Fear not, because nations are merely nations.

Fear Not, Because Opinions Do Not Matter

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. (Isaiah 51:7)

Some things are scarier than others.

Remember that cartoon picture in which a small fish is about to be eaten by a slightly bigger fish?  Which is about to be eaten by a bigger fish?  Which is about to be eaten by an even bigger fish?  And eventually, the biggest, ugliest, scariest fish of all envelops the other fish in its huge fanged jaws?!?!

No matter how dangerous a threat you face, there is a bigger threat behind it.

And the most dangerous thing in the natural world is not a tornado, nor a Saharan dust storm, nor a contagious virus, nor economic disaster, nor government over-reach.  The most dangerous thing is the bad opinion of other humans.

Ok, maybe that was melodramatic.  But it is true that we are motivated by others’ opinions.  We worry about others’ opinions.  Others’ opinions make our lives hard. 

The bad opinion of others is perhaps even higher than death, public speaking, and running out of money on our list of fears. At least on an immediate, practical basis.

Isaiah writes encouragement to those who know we fear the bad opinion of others.

But Isaiah does not give us something specific to do.

He gives us something specific to be.

Those who know righteousness and have the law of God in our hearts are, not to put too fine a point on it, Christians. 

Those who know righteousness and have the law of God in our hearts, Christians, do not need to fear someone else’s bad opinion.  In fact, we might as well expect it.  Those who are not Christian WILL reproach Christians.  Those who are not Christians DO revile Christians. 

But that big bad ugly fanged fish can not harm our soul, our faith, or our true lives.  It might seem like it.  It might threaten and roar and hurt… But God is.

(I first attempted to complete that sentence with adjectives like powerful, bigger, influential, and involved… and then considered broader words like able, present, and the Lord.  But in the end, I liked, “God is.”  It explains how much MORE He is than the bad opinion of some finite, foolish, unaware, sleeping human.)

Fear not, because opinions do not matter.

Fear Not, Because of Normalcy

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 ESV)

The snowstorm was brutal.  Howling wind and blowing snow.  Bitter sub-zero temperatures.  Winter’s worst.  When I was outside, it was all I could see.  When I was inside, it was all I could hear.  And wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, ALL I could think about was that storm.

But on the phone, talking to friends on the other side of the country, the storm was not so real.  It was certainly real to me, of course.  But on a national level, or even a regional level… it was not so big or bad or scary.  In the midst of the storm, normal things still went on.  And the next day, of course…. That storm was gone.

The news and social media have been trying to fool us.  When we watch too much, or listen too much, we get the idea that nothing in the nation or world is normal anymore.  All we see is the virus.  All we hear is the economy.  All we think about is government overreach. 

Those things ARE real.  They deserve some attention.  They clamor for attention.  We need to react carefully, thoughtfully, and realistically.

But those terrible things are not everything.  More normal things are happening than abnormal things.

God tells the animals to be at peace because no matter how wild their life is, normalcy is also present.  Though they live in a world of tooth and claw, the grass and trees and vines plod along in vibrant normalcy.

We can note the same thing.  Even when a riot formed up the road, we still had electricity.  Even when testing results indicate an increase in C-19 cases, our hearts beat.  Even when craziness fills in the cracks of every news story, our neighbors wave at us, kittens get rescued from trees, the sun rises and sets, and the rain and sun work together to give us wheat, corn, tomatoes, and melons. 

And those normal things are the setting for God’s blessings.  Those normal things ARE the blessings that God showers on His people.  Those normal things are just as important as the shocking scary things. 

God gives us peaceful, regular, normal things.  Notice them with gratitude.

Fear not, because of normalcy.

Fear Not, Because of Shepherds

I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:4 ESV)

I watched a NASA broadcast of two astronauts working outside of the International Space Station. One of the astronauts accidentally cut his tether line.

Let me say that again… One of the astronauts accidentally CUT HIS TETHER LINE!!!!

Instantly pictures of every Sci-Fi movie with a cut tether line flashed through my mind. I knew how this was going to end. Goodbye Astronaut Behnken!

But his voice, and the voice of the other astronaut, and the voice of Mission Control remained calm. More than calm, they didn’t seem to care. And I soon figured out why.

The tether line was not the only thing that kept that astronaut safe. That line was one of many precautions. He had boot clamps. He had hand grips. He had the other astronaut, carefully positioned down the gravity stream. He had more.

Behnken was not going to be drifting anywhere.

God told Jeremiah that God’s people were protected in a similar way. He called those protections shepherds.

Yes, the shepherds are the religious leaders of Israel. But the shepherds were also the political leaders. The shepherds were also found in families. The shepherds were also neighbors’ hands. The shepherds were also helpful domesticated animals. The shepherds were also tools, traditions, and time.

Just like NASA control could have told the astronaut to relax because of the redundancies of protective backups, God tells us that He has provided similar redundancies.

He has given you shepherds. So many shepherds.

Count your shepherds. We have elders in the church, deacons in the church, friends in the church, wise people in the church, teachers in the church, listeners in the church, advisors in the church, handy folk in the church, shoulders to lean on in the church, skilled helpers in the church.

We have shepherds in our families. We have fathers, mothers, and siblings. We have homes. We have useful possessions. We have extended family members’ experience. We have the stories of Grandpa and Grandma. We have family gatherings. We have an often communal availability of family possessions.

We have shepherds that we don’t even know! Angels unseen. God’s tapestry being woven around us. Strangers with good words. “Coincidences” that help us avoid troubles. The right stuff at the right time.

Looking back, we often can see how God has given us shepherds.

So looking ahead, don’t be afraid. There will be shepherds.

Fear not, because of shepherds.

Fear Not, Because God Repeats It

See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ (Deuteronomy 1:21 ESV)

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they are about to actually, finally, really, physically enter the Promised Land.  They pause for a long recitation of God’s activities since leaving Egypt.  It’s a gripping story, but I can almost imagine the Israelites saying, “We heard this already.  We were there for some of it.”

But Moses repeats the story anyway.

Maybe the purpose of Moses’ repetition is found in this sentence.  On the cusp of a war with armed, trained, fierce enemies… maybe they were a little afraid.

Moses reminds them of the reports of the spies.  Ten of the spies had reported that Canaan, as their Promised Land was still temporarily known, was defended by forts, weapons, and giants.  And now it was time to face those enemies.

As they prepare to cross into Canaan… the signs of fear were probably there.  A few lumps in throats.  A few nervous twitches.  A few furtive glances at the horizon, or over the next hill. A few whispered conversations around campfires.

And Moses’ answer is to repeat the theme that God has been displaying for over 40 years.  He is on their side.  They do not need to be afraid.

Maybe some folk rolled their eyes.  “We’ve already heard that.”

Maybe some folk complained about Moses needing a new sermon.

Maybe some folk sarcastically mouthed Moses’ words along with him.

“Fear not.”  “Don’t be afraid.”

But it appears that the repetition was effective.

Some things are worth repeating.

Fear not, because God repeats it.

Fear Not, Because God is Present

“Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  (Jeremiah 1:8 NKJV)

Do you carry a picture of your loved one’s elbow in your wallet?  When you see a cameo shot of your favorite actor’s foot, do you nudge your spouse and smile?  Are museums filled with small statues depicting political leaders’ brains?

No… we like faces.

A face represents the person.

We carry pictures of faces because the face makes them seem present.  We recognize actors by their faces because their face is how we know them.  We enjoy statues that emphasize faces because the face brings the subject into the room.

Now insert that concept into what the Lord told Jeremiah.

God is saying, “Do not fear ANYONE ELSE’S presence, for I am present.”

Consider these aspects:

-          Young children recognize the face of their folks in a crowd.

-          We stand face to face in a conversation.

-          We ‘face facts’ when we accept reality, what is really here.

-          The Aaronic Blessing emphasizes our Lord’s face… sending us out with the comfort of His presence.

Whatever face your fear has, let God’s face comfort you.  His presence is more.  His presence is good.  His presence delivers us.

Fear not, because God is present.

Fear Not, Because God is Here

…and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5,6)

Batman’s Utility Belt was filled with wonderful things. That Belt provided Batman with tools, aids, implements, and almost countless gadgets that assisted the Batman at exactly the moment that he most needed help. The Joker, though, when he first observed the Belt and it’s accessories, “where does he get those wonderful toys?”

Batman saw purposeful items. The Joker saw possessions.

The possessions, resources, abilities, and situations that God has given us are not in our storerooms to look nice, fill space, or simply be accumulated. He gives to help. He gives for purpose. He gives as a physical manifestation of His presence.

God has only abandoned ONE of His people, at ONE particular moment in time. On the cross, His beloved Son cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”

Our eyes and hearts do not discern Him at times. His presence is not found, sometimes, in the obvious ways we expect. In sorrow, pain, and fear, we are occasionally blinded to His presence.

But He is here.

He has given us signs of His presence. The money in our checkbooks, the food in our pantries, the stuff in our closets are not just nice, cool, pleasant blessings. Those things are what God has put in our Utility Belts to help us. Those things are what God has put in our Utility Belts because He knows we need them at a given moment. Those things are what God has put in our Utility Belt because He has not left us, or forsaken us, or abandoned us, or forgotten us.

When it feels like God has left you alone, remember your five pairs of pants. When it feels like God has left you alone, remember your four tires on most of your cars. When it feels like God has left you alone, remember your eight screwdrivers scattered around your house and garage. When it feels like God has left you alone, remember your leftovers in the fridge.

Notice what you have and be content. Notice what you have, and be excited because God shows us, “I AM HERE.”

Fear not, because God is here.

Fear Not, Because of Jesus' Aid in Believing

While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.”  But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”  (Luke 8:49,50 ESV)

We have a new reclining couch.  We now have a cushy, comfy, cool place to make the hard labor of watching tv more pleasant.  Lean back… sigh with contentment… and watch in physical peace.

When it is time reluctantly to stand up, the process seems simple.  Shift weight forward, press the footrest back, make the recliner say, “click,” and stand up!  The tricky part is making the recliner say, “click.”

Heel pressure at JUST the right way is necessary.  A little to the left or right… a bit too much or not quite enough pushing… the wrong angle of leg pressure… and the ‘click’ won’t happen.  And we would be stuck in the chair forever.

We’ve learned to identify the exact action.  It is simple, yet difficult.

Just like Jesus’ answer to the ruler’s fear.

Jesus tells the worried man that the answer to fear is belief.

Just believe.  That’s all.  Simple, right?

But oh so difficult.

It is hard to believe.  When our senses and experience and knowledge and habit pull us into the comfortable but dangerous realm of fear, believing the truth of God’s power, attention, and love is difficult. 

Yet Jesus answers our fear with instruction to believe, anyway.

It is a choice.  It is a reasonable choice, given who God is… but it is a choice that is hard to make sometimes.  We do not want to appear foolish or naïve.  We do not want to be surprised by the power of troubles.  We do not want to have regret after our faith.

The exact and specific and almost narrow point of pressure to defeat fear is belief.

And it is hard to find and use that point of pressure.  

God gives an example, though, of how to do it.  Another man in similar circumstances, maybe even hearing of Jesus’ instruction to believe in the face of fear said, “Lord I believe… help my unbelief.”  (Mark 9:24)

Belief as an answer to fear is best obtained by asking for it.  That exact pressure point of belief is best obtained by asking for it.  Abandoning fear and resting in belief is best obtained by asking for it.

I am choosing to believe…  Jesus, help me squash down my unbelief.

Fear not, because of Jesus’ aid in believing.

Fear Not, Because of Prayer

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard (Luke 1:11-13 ESV)

What if God did what we ask Him to do? When we are asking God for obvious, easy things… like finding a parking space, or arriving at a meeting on time, or finding lost keys, it is not that surprising. We ask small, and God gives small… and no one is amazed.

But what if we ask God for something amazing. Zechariah did. He was asking God for a miracle that was even bigger than Zechariah and Elizabeth knew. The impossible baby that Elizabeth would name John was not merely a miracle of birth to an elderly couple. That baby was the fulfillment of Scripture. That baby was part of the Messiah story. That baby was part of the redemption of Israel.

Zechariah asked big… and received bigger. And that reception took first the form of an angel. A shocking, amazing, incomprehensible being come recently from the very face of God. No wonder Zechariah was afraid.

But if Zechariah had asked small, he would not have been amazed with God’s answer. And the angel would not have come. And the angel would not have had to tell Zechariah that there was nothing to fear… because what was happening was God’s answer to Zechariah’s prayer.

If we are scared to ask big… this angel reminds us that asking big actually leads to less fear. If we don’t dare ask God for the IMPORTANT, the NECESSARY, and the IMPOSSIBLE, then we won’t learn, like Zechariah, that Prayer ENDS fear. Prayer FIXES fear. Prayer UNDOES fear.

Fear not, because of prayer.

Fear Not, Because of God's Words

“O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” (Daniel 10:19)

The power and importance of words are displayed in the song, “Home on the Range.”  Kansas is depicted to be a great state because in Kansas, “seldom is heard a discouraging word.”  Dr. Brewster Higley, writing those lyrics, reminds us that our hearts are affected by words, as much as by deeds.

Michael (the Archangel) gives Daniel many reasons to stop being afraid.  Daniel was faced with such an array of enemies that fear had overwhelmed him.  The visions of the future that God had sent Daniel were giving him even more reasons to be afraid.  And as Daniel prays, he becomes like a bowl of quivering jelly.  Because of his fear, Daniel was physically weak, emotionally discouraged, and spiritually empty. 

Michael particularly heartens Daniel with a reminder that Daniel is loved (probably quoting the Psalms,) a suggestion that Daniel choose  to be at peace (probably quoting the Torah’s worship instructions,) and to be strong and courageous (clearly quoting the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua!)  But note that Daniel does not record the effectiveness of those three things.

He does not say, “I am loved, so I will not be afraid.”  Although he could have. It is encouraging to be loved.

He does not say, “I choose peace, so I will not be afraid.”  Although he could have. It is encouraging to have peace.

He does not say, “I will be strong and courageous, so I will not be afraid.”  Although he could have. It is encouraging to be strong and courageous.

He instead asks Michael for more words.  Because Michael’s words abolished Daniel’s fear.

Today, we tend to discredit words.  We desire words to be proven before we accept them.  Even when reading God’s Word, we want to see God’s Word proven true, rather than rest in God’s Word.  Don’t our hearts quicken when archaeologists find evidence of the ark, or the Red Sea Crossing, or Jesus’ empty tomb?

But Daniel found courage, strength, and hope in Michael’s words.

Even though Daniel was visited by God’s messenger who was detouring from Spiritual battles out and about in the world, I believe that Daniel would have traded that message for what we have.   Daniel only had available what we call the Old Testament up through the prophets.  Basically, Genesis through Ecclesiastes.  And supplemented by Michael’s words, Daniel was encouraged, even though he had fewer words to hear than we do.

Because we have more.  Not only do we have Michael’s words, recorded by Daniel for us, we have the rest of the prophets.  We have the book of Esther.  We have the precious New Testament.  All of which would have made Daniel giddy. 

I think he would look at us today and ask, “WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF??  Look how many WORDS you have!”

And he would be right.

Fear not, because of God’s words.

Fear Not, Because God's Truth is Coming

Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” (Daniel 10:12)

Ever since I removed and replaced the rear wheel of my old Craftsman Riding Lawn Mower, something was wrong. The engine ran enthusiastically, but the mower would not move. Reverse and forward no longer worked. Vroom, vroom, vroom, but no movement.

But I did not give up. I knew that somehow that Craftsman would work. It had to be something simple, practical, and obvious. I believed in that lawn mower. I kept trying, from time to time. I kept searching, consulting the internet, my experience, and experts.

And eventually I found the answer. A small piece of metal that had fallen off when I had replaced the wheel. It was obvious once I was given good advice. And now that old lawn mower roars and cuts and levels.

Somehow, though, I never really doubted. I had trust in the reality of the practical side of the lawn mower. I had faith that the answer was not ‘out there,’ but was just beyond my eyes and understanding.

Daniel had even bigger faith.

Daniel did not fear, but not due to a passive, doormat sort of faith. He KNEW that God’s truth was absolute. And so Daniel prayed hopefully… asked optimistically… spoke actively… and never doubted that SOMEHOW, SOMETIME, God would make the frightening reality of exile make sense.

“Fear not,” did not mean for Daniel to relax in boring sleepy nothingness. “Fear not,” for Daniel meant actively searching, KNOWING that the answer is just out of sight. “Fear not,” for Daniel meant a passionate hope that the mysteries of life were about to be made clear. “Fear not,” for Daniel meant confidence that Daniel did not need to know all things yet… but that Daniel had nothing to be afraid of.

And that God would make all things clear.

And this is true for us, too. When life seems more chaotic than orderly… when problems fill our horizons… when the news is scary, and dark, and unsure… imitate Daniel. Pray for understanding and TRUST that God’s truth IS truth.

That kind of faith leads to knowledge.

Fear not, because God’s truth is coming.

Fear Not, Because of Forgiveness

“…so again have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not.” (Zechariah 8:15)

I acknowledge that I am not a patient man. I give up on my chainsaw after four stalls. I push either of our cats off my lap when their weight feels just a little warm. I fast-forward through television commercials.

Maybe you aren’t patient, either. Do you give up on a leader after they say two stupid things? Do you walk away from a friend after they don’t treat you the way you need? Do you forgive once, maybe twice… but never three times?

God’s wrath is a terrible thing. He is infinite, and His capacity for justice, just desserts, and righteous anger at Sin and sinners is infinite. As much as we might fear tornados, diseases, government overreach, cruelty, hate, and Satan, God’s wrath is much worse.

But God’s patience is a wonderful thing. He is infinite, and His desire to forgive, to ease the effects of our Sin, and to bless is infinite.

The story of Biblical Israel is a story of rebellion, forgetting God, and contumacy. And God reacts each time, over and over, repeatedly, numerous times, with patience. The story of Biblical Israel seems to end, though, with God’s anger finally reaching a limit. Both the Northern Kingdom AND the Southern Kingdom are gone. God’s people are spread throughout the Middle East.

And then God shows once more His patience.

He promises to bless His people again.

And He does.

Even the worst thing in the universe, God’s Wrath, ends with forgiveness. Even the worst thing in the universe, God’s Wrath, ends with faith, hope, and love. Even the worst thing in the universe, God’s Wrath, ends with Jesus.

Because God decided to expend ALL of that wrath on His Son, on the Cross, instead of on God’s People.

Fear not, because God is patient.

Fear Not, Because of Wisdom

She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. (Proverbs 31:21)

A few months ago I got to fly a small airplane!  The owner/pilot was giving a few of us a birds’ eye view of Northern California, and he turned to me and said, “Wanna take over?”

I eagerly did.  But I was nervous.  My few flying lessons were decades ago.  My few opportunities to take the yoke were in the distant past.  I hadn’t even flown virtually in years.  I not only had forgotten the details of flying, but I didn’t even remember the basics.

I did ok.

But when the pilot took control again, I noticed (because I was thinking about it) that HE was not nervous.  His confidence was founded in his knowledge of the basics AND the details.

Just like the woman in Proverbs 31.  She is not afraid of inclement weather for two reasons.   

First, she has taken care of the details of her family’s well-being.  That is what the ‘scarlet’ indicates.  It is not just a color, but probably refers to the quality of the clothing that she has been able to provide for her family. 

So perhaps I could write, “Fear Not, Because You’ve Covered the Details.”

But I don’t think that is really the point here.

Because second, if you look at the rest of Proverbs 31, you will see that this woman is Wise.  She is not afraid because she is Wise.

Today, the world has kidnapped that word.  The world says that wisdom is common sense.  The world says that wisdom is applying knowledge.  The world says that wisdom is gained through experience and time.

But the Bible says that Wisdom is following God’s path, instead of any other way.

Any Christian can be Wise.  Simply choose to do things God’s way instead of your way.  It is not gained by experience, or being old, or having common sense.  It is gained by asking God what to do, and then doing what He says to do.  In His Word, usually.

We can be Wise.  And when we do, fear slips away into the dark.  Because God has told us to not be afraid.  Many times.

Fear not, because of Wisdom.

Fear Not, Because God is Bigger

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson appeared shockingly calm to his companions. Even when examining the battlefield from the back of his horse, Stonewall didn’t seem to mind the flying bullets, earth-breaking explosions, or bayonet-wielding Yankees.

“… my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed,” Jackson said. Notice that he did not deny the danger… but he knew something greater.

“There is nothing to be afraid of,” is not the same as merely, “Do not be afraid.” In fact, the reality of the danger is what makes our reliance on God necessary.

David, the author of Psalm 27, mentions three fearful things. Darkness, Sin, and a threat to his life. All three of these are legitimate reasons to be afraid.

Darkness refers to more than a child’s fear of the dark. It refers to God’s enemy, the World. The Kingdom of Darkness that is opposed to God’s Kingdom. Evil exists. Evil is dangerous. The Psalmist logically SHOULD be afraid of Darkness, but because God’s Light is more powerful, the Psalmist can relax. The very real enemy, Darkness, will lose. So David is not afraid.

Sin caused (and causes) the rift between God and humans that makes creation groan, hearts break, and lives difficult. Sin is the underlying cause to every problem. We see Sin and Sin’s effects all around us… threatening us with ALL of life’s difficulties, but also with eternal death. But the Salvation given by God is stronger than Sin. David logically SHOULD be afraid of Sin, but because God’s Salvation is more powerful, David can relax. The very real enemy, Sin, will lose. So David is not afraid.

While we do not know the circumstances surrounding this Psalm, we do know that David had enemies with sharp swords. Many people wanted David dead. And they came close to success. David knew the threat, and he knew that the danger was real. David logically SHOULD be afraid of the threat of death, but because David rested beneath God’s wings, David can relax. The very real enemy, death, will lose. So David is not afraid.

A brave person does not ignore or deny real danger. There ARE things to be afraid of. But God is bigger than all of them. A brave person chooses to act in spite of the danger.

Fear not, because God is bigger.

Fear Not, Because God Outnumbers Hordes

Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. (II Chronicles 20:15 ESV)

One rat would be bad enough.  I watched a TV show recently in which a man endured HUNDREDS of rats running over his reclining body.

One reminder to clean one’s room is good advice.  Repetitive repetition repeatedly repeating the suggestion is usually considered nagging.

One zombie is humorous.  A thousand zombies are a reason for zombie movies to be produced.

We moderns have become worshippers of numbers.  Power seems to be found in numbers.  Truth seems to be determined by majority opinion.  And the old motherly quip, “would you jump off a cliff if EVERYONE jumped?”  Now seems to be answered, “Hmmmm… maybe…”

Jehoshaphat and Judah are in trouble.  An army is coming.  A large army.  A horde.  But the singer Jahaziel brings a fear-killing reminder.

No matter HOW big the army, God is bigger.  When it comes to numbers, our God actually outnumbers everything.

An army is not encamped at our doorstep.  But we DO face a horde.

A horde of voices.

Watch the news, and you will be presented with a horde of reasons to be afraid.

“Look out for yourself!” is shouted from most street corners, dramatized in video blogs, and ALL-CAPPED in headlines.  Those voices are a horde.

The majority of Americans are doubting God’s existence.  And those that DO believe sometimes seem to believe in a different God than Scripture presents.  We’re outnumbered by a horde.

But don’t let the numbers fool you.

Jahaziel sings to us, too.  The Lord is on our side, and His Three-in-One outnumber anyone.  All truth is stated by God, not determined by public opinion.  And even if you stand (for Him) alone, you are not alone.

A bigger, better, stronger, cooler, caring, loving, planning, succeeding, victorious Horde is on our side.

Fear not, because God outnumbers all hordes.

Fear not, Because Change Isn't Bad

him; do not be afraid of him.” (II Kings 1:15 ESV)

Change can be scary. Not necessarily changing the sheets, changing the oil, or changing the water in your water bottle… but change that involves realizing you had been wrong, and need a new path.

The King of Israel had gone to false gods to get advice and help. And Elijah was appropriately not happy about it. The King had rejected Jahweh. But the help from the false gods never materialized.

So the King turned to the One True God. And that effected Elijah.

At first, Elijah wouldn’t even meet with the King. Elijah made strong statements in effect saying, “I’ll die before I meet with you, oh Evil King.” Today, Elijah might have written angry, condemning, absolute statements on Facebook… or Twitter… or in a blog.

And Elijah would have been correct.

But then God wanted Elijah to meet with the King, after all.

Elijah had to go against his previous statements. He had to walk back from his absolutes. “Never” became “tomorrow.” And that is a scary thing to have to do.

We don’t readily do it. We don’t often do it. Change is scary.

But an angel told Elijah to do it, and not to be afraid. The angel told Elijah that the King, or the King’s opinion, or PUBLIC opinion didn’t play into it.

Elijah’s position had to change. And no matter how scary, Elijah had to swallow hard… gird up his loins… and do what God wanted, now that Elijah had discovered what it was.

Because what matters is GOD’S position… not our position.

Our fear of that kind of change is what makes it hard for us to publicly forgive. Our fear of that kind of change is what makes it hard for us to change life directions, careers, friends, or political views. Our fear of that kind of change is what makes us rarely say, “I was wrong.”

But the things we are afraid of (the opinion of others, effects of our new direction, or the effort involved) don’t play into it.

When God says to do something, do it. Even if it is new. Even if it is different. Even if it is hard.

Let God’s Word guide you, EVEN to change.

Fear not, because change isn’t bad.

Fear Not, Because We Are Redeemed

Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14 ESV)

The people of Alaska developed a unique mindset at the end of the 19th century.  On the one hand, their land was harsh.  It’s awfully cold.  In the Winter, the sun only rises for minutes each day.  Even the Sea was usually frozen solid for over six months.  While some financial success had been achieved with the hunting of whales, walruses, and seals… those resources were dwindling. 

Alaska was the worm on the food chain of the Pacific Rim.

But on the other hand, the Alaskans were persistently sought, haggled over, purchased… and desired.  Throughout the modern era, the Eskimos, the Siberians, the Russians, the French, the Spanish, the British, the Canadians, and the Americans all laid claims to Alaska’s vast land.

And those two hands made for an odd grip on life.

They knew they were worms… but they knew they were wanted.  And so they smiled, even in the dead of Winter.

Christians, the post-cross ‘men of Israel,’ are similar.

We know we aren’t worth much.  We know our sins and our sinfulness.  We know our unreliability and our backsliding.  We know how much we forget and how much we ignore.  Isaiah is right to call us worms, spiritually. 

But we have been sought, haggled over, and purchased.  And we are desired by the Holy One of Israel!

Worms have a lot to fear. 

But the Redeemed Worms of Israel do not!

Fear not, because we are Redeemed.

Fear not, Because God Holds Your Hand

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”  (Isaiah 41:13 ESV)

In almost every scary movie that you have ever seen, you KNOW the scariest part is about to happen because the victim and the hero on the big screen hold hands.  Whether the terrified victim reaches out and takes the hero’s hand, or the hero, in comfort, reaches out and takes the victim’s hand… that clasping denotes the climax of the film.

Parents and their children know this.

Couples walking through a dark woods or rough part of town know this.

Even soldiers before and after battle know this.

Held hands have comforted many a heart.

So how can God hold your hand?  He doesn’t reach out and physically take your hand when you are worried.  (That might actually make us MORE afraid!)

God holds our hand through the words of His Word.  God holds our hand through the actions of His people.  God holds our hand through His Spirit, attesting to our spirit. 

Whenever those things happen, it is God holding your hand.  It is God saying, “do not fear.”

God holds our hand through everything that He does, which He does for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

Fear not, because He holds your hand.

Fear Not, Because You Are His

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1 ESV)

The peace of a dog’s life is a cliché. Usually we mean that a dog’s life is lazy, advantageous, and pleasant. But when I think of my dog’s life, I think of other things.

My dog had a scary life. But he doesn’t need to be afraid anymore.

We got Ambrose from the Wichita Animal Center. He was skinny, sickly, and while his smile was friendly and welcoming, mostly he cowered.

The Center could not tell us of Ambrose’s past. But it probably was not good. He continues to be a bit skittish around men, until I shake the visitor’s hand, and the dog sees that the stranger is not a stranger.

We bought Ambrose. That’s closer to what “redeemed” actually means that the idea of salvation we usually attach to that word. IF Ambrose had been ours to start with, and had lost him, when we bought him back from the pound it would be exactly a redemption. But this is close.

We called him by name. He was “Donny” when we first saw him in his kennel. But he didn’t look like a Donny. We didn’t like the name Donny. The dog was coming to a new home (more than a new house) and so he got a new name. We called him Ambrose.

And he is ours. He knows we’ll take care of him (even in a thunderstorm, he runs to us for protection.)

I could tell Ambrose, “Fear not, for we have (sort of) redeemed you… (sort of) called you by a new name… and you( sort of) belong to us.” And if he were smarter, he’d feel more at peace.

You might not like being compared to a dog. Yet it’s a pretty good example of God’s purchase of us, His calling us Christians, and our relationship to Him.

We ran away from home (and sometimes we keep running away from home.) He bought us back and brought us back. Doesn’t that diminish fear? We have affection for the things we buy at Target. But the things we lost and got back… THOSE we hold more closely.

We had old names. Rebel. Sinner. Selfish. Blind. Deaf. Me First. And He gives us new names and calls us by those names. He calls us Sons and Daughters. Beloved. Precious. The Bride of His Son. Christian. Every time He calls us by those names it is a chance to diminish fear. Some of you name your cars because you like those cars. Some of you name your land because you protect your land. Some of you name your children because you love them.

We are His. He not only bought us back, but He MADE us in the first place. And God takes care of what is His. Remembering that we are His diminishes fear. We take care of our yard but ignore the yard across town. We embrace our teddy bear but never touch another’s stuffed bedtime toy. We run out in the rain to retrieve our chainsaw but are not even aware when a neighbor’s chainsaw was left outside.

Fear not, because you are His.