Fear Not... Then Know Protection

The God-begotten are also the God-protected. The Evil One can’t lay a hand on them. We know that we are held firm by God; (I John 5:18-19 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Know Protection

In the corner by my front door is a baseball bat.

Usually when we travel, there is a revolver in the car.

My skills at hand-to-hand combat, jiu-jistu, karate, and kick-boxing are legendary.

Because of those things, at particular moments, I am sometimes a little less afraid.

If a bat, a bullet, and an illusion can make me feel safe… how much more safe should I feel when I know I am held firm by God?

God’s protection is eternal, providential, and powerful.  Why should I worry?  God’s protection is promised, implied, and deduced.  Why should I worry?  God’s protection is limitless, reality, and present.  Why should I worry?

Fear not, then know protection.

Fear Not... Then Expect Blessing

And if you will indeed obey My commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,  He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil.  And He will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full. (Deuteronomy 11:13-15 ESV

Fear Not… Then Expect Blessing

This is not the first time we have found this hopeful expectation in God’s covenantal promises.  And it will not be the last.  It is a common refrain in the song of God’s Word.

Because we need to be reminded.

We are cynics.  We are more comfortable with God’s spiritual promises than His physical promises.  We are quick to observe times that God apparently does not keep this kind of promise.  We do not want to appear to be weird fanatics.

But God says what God says.

He will bless His people.  When our trust is such that we stop being afraid of other things, we can expect blessings.  Not necessarily the blessings we are demanding and seeking… but blessings of such a nature that when we see them, we will be awe-struck.

We will eat and be full.

Personally, I think our yearning for this hope is behind our statistical predictions.  I think our yearning for this hope is behind our culture’s infatuation with horoscopes.  I think our yearning for this hope is why we like happy endings to our stories.

But instead of seeking hope in mathematics, horoscopes, and fiction, let us look instead to the Word of the One True Living God.

Fear not, then expect blessing.

Fear Not... Then Be Vigilant

Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.  (Deuteronomy 11:16-17 ESV)

FEAR NOT… THEN BE VIGILANT

Singapore was known as the Gibraltar of the East.  Gibraltar was considered an impregnable fortress at the Southern tip of Spain, and in the end, it has still not fallen to any enemy.  But Singapore was a different story.

Things seemed to be going well for the British Empire in Asia.  Japan had fought on the side of the Allies in the Great War, and while trade disputes did occur, for the most part, Britain faced no powerful enemies in Asia.

And so, the military command relaxed.  Other places in the world seemed to require more attention.  Other defenses were more important.  Money, manpower, and planning focused in Europe and Africa.

And while the more famous Pearl Harbor surprised the United States, the Japanese also attacked the supposedly strong defenses of Singapore.  Reportedly, over half of the guard posts in Singapore were unoccupied when the Japanese forces arrived.

When things are going well, we fall away from diligence.

Not only in military terms, but also in our Kingdom wars. 

God warns the Israelites that when they would experience God’s blessings, there would be a danger of deception. They would find it easy to neglect those defenses that keep us close to God.  And history showed God to be correct.

Our mountaintop experiences, as wonderful as they are, are potentially dangerous.  It seems easier to wonder away from God when we are at peace, or enjoying His blessings, or are resting.

Consider your sanctification… we tend to grow more spiritually during trials than during better times.  Consider your prayer habits… we tend to pray more honestly and intimately during struggles than during contentment.  Consider your worship… we tend to know we need God more when are facing fears than when we are enjoying the benefits of our relationship with Jesus.

Remember Singapore…

Fear not, then be vigilant.

Fear Not... Then See the Church

That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!” (Zechariah 4:9–10 The Message)

Fear Not… Then See the Church

Sometimes the answer is right in front of us.   Last year, while the world rocked beneath the threat of a contagious and deadly virus; while the economy of the United States, recently so strong, rolled beneath the thread of business closings and spending decreases; while our governments, so helpful at times, seemed to be singing a more threatening tune…

I found peace, and hope, and love in a small group of people in rural Kansas.

More yet, I found that fear had no reign in a small group of people in rural Kansas.

Even more than that, I found Jesus dwelling in a small group of people in rural Kansas.

As the people of God returned from exile in Babylon, there was a lot of fear.  Their world was rocked by weather, neighbors, and armies.  Their world was rolled by economic woes, financial troubles, and unsuccessful endeavors.  Their world was threatened by the very government that had sent them back.

And the answer for them was in symbolized by Zerubbabel’s work in building the temple.  The new, restored temple was not an impressive structure.  But it was more than it seemed. Though seemingly small, it was a symbol for God’s presence among His people.  As the bricks were laid by a remnant of a remnant… God’s answer to their fears grew more clear.   Not because the building became so cool.

But because better than the temple… and coming soon… was the Messiah.

Often unimpressive at first glance, there is actually nothing on earth more wonderful than the people of God at work in His kingdom.  The church is the place God best loves to work.  The church is the place God’s presence is most clearly found.  The church is the place God answers our cries.

The church is far from perfect, but her Lord is perfect.  The church is far from glorious, but her Lord is glorious.  The church is far from powerful, but her Lord is powerful.

One brick at a time.

Fear not, then see the church.

Fear Not... Then Don't Be Fooled

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (II Timothy 3:8-9 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Don’t Be Fooled

If it were not for the Book of Timothy, we would not know for certain the names of the two magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.

But we know from the book of Exodus that they were clever men.  They were professional showmen.  They knew how to work physics, illusions, and the audience.

Apparently, other clever men tried deception during Timothy and Paul’s time.  We do not know their names, but we can assume that they were as clever, professional, and manipulative as Jannes and Jambres.

But Paul tells Timothy to relax.  Lies, deception, and manipulation always fall before the power of Jesus’ truth.

We face clever lies, too.  Our society seems beset by Jannesi and Jambresi.  And that can be discouraging.  But like Timothy, we can relax.  Paul assures us, too, that the truth will win.

It starts with the powerful truths of the gospel.  And it ends with those same truths.  Nothing else really matters.

Fear not, then don’t be fooled.

Fear Not... Then Tell the Truth

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (Acts 23:6-7 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Tell the Truth

Paul was in a tight spot. 

And perhaps we would expect articulate Paul to talk his way out of his fix with rhetoric, passion, and logic.  We might like to see him argue, catch pagans in logical errors, and twist the words of his accusers into knots.  Cheering him on from the historical sidelines, we want to see Paul win, we want to see Paul victorious, we want to see Paul in his impressive oratory destroy his enemies.

But he does not.

He sees in front of him the Romans beginning to be interested in the gospel.  He sees in front of him angry Jews.  He sees in front of him the worried faces of his companions, in need of hope.

It might seem that his words setting Pharisee and Sadducee against each other are a trap.  It might seem that he is pushing them into an argument to gain credibility with the Romans.  It might seem that he is encouraging his friends by presenting the weaknesses of his accusers.

And perhaps those things might be the result of Paul’s choice of tactic.

But simply, Paul tells the truth.

He declares his background, and the hope of the gospel.

I wonder how many times our conflicts, internal and external, would be resolved with a similar choice of tactic.

Jesus says the truth sets us free. (John 8:28)

We do not have to be clever on the front lines of gospel dispute.  We do not have to be strategic as the Kingdom of God comes under attack in our front yard.  We do not have to be crafty, sneaky, or lay logical traps when presenting the hope that is in us. (I Peter 3:15)

We have the truth.  God is.  Sin separates. Christ redeems, restores, and renews. (Colossians 1:13)

Fear not, then tell the truth.

Fear Not... Then Keep a Record

In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, Jeremiah received this Message from God:

“Get a scroll and write down everything I’ve told you regarding Israel and Judah and all the other nations from the time I first started speaking to you in Josiah’s reign right up to the present day.              “Maybe the community of Judah will finally get it, finally understand the catastrophe that I’m planning for them, turn back from their bad lives, and let me forgive their perversity and sin.”[1] (Jeremiah 36:1-3 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Keep a Record

Most Wednesdays I do a bit of shopping for JubiWednesday dinner.  I used to just have a general idea and go to the store.  But I kept forgetting bread, or lettuce, or grapes, or onions.  And going back to the store is not a good use of time.

So now I make a list.  I write it down.  And I rarely forget ingredients anymore.

When God gave an important message to Josiah, God did not just leave it to Jeremiah’s memory.  God told Jeremiah to write it down.  So Jeremiah would not forget the exact words.  So Josiah would not forget the message. So the nation of Judah would not forget what God had said.

And even so we would not forget.

That message, recorded by Jeremiah, is part of the book of Jeremiah.

Vague memory might not accurately relay what God wants us to know.

Understanding the general concept of God’s message is not always enough.

The Words themselves clearly matter to God.

This also applies to our own experiences with God.  In the same way, although without the same inspirational oomph, writing down what God has taught us will help us remember.  It will help us understand.  It was help us get it.

And your grandkids might be glad, too.

Fear not, then keep a record.

Fear Not... Then Belong

And you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Jeremiah 30:22)

Fear Not… Then Belong

I enjoyed attending a ‘concert’ by William Shatner a few years ago.  He presented humorous anecdotes of his years on camera, on stage, and on horses.  He was personable, open, and friendly.

If I had been willing to spend a bit more money, I could have shook his hand and gotten an autograph.  With even more money, I could have hung around with him backstage after the show.

I could have been one of Shatner’s people!

I almost spent the money.

No one wants to be one of my people.  A few people might want to be one of Shatner’s people.  But oh, wow… I am glad to be one of God’s people!

The relationship will last forever.  The relationship gives me peace, hope, and love.  The relationship helps, enables, and empowers.

Being one of God’s people is really the only thing I need.

Belonging to this group does not cost money.  Being one of God’s people does not require pedigree.  Being with God does not involve my character, qualifications, or performance.

To Belong to God, believe.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Fear not, then belong.

Fear Not.. Then Trust God's Justice

All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way. (II Thessalonians 1:5,6 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Trust God’s Justice

I rely on my car mechanic to fix my headlights.  I rely on my IT guy to fix my computer.  I rely on my gunsmith to shorten my shotgun.  I rely on a small engine expert to get my weed-eater running.

And I know that God brings justice.

Therefore, I do not need to worry. 

I might need to suffer, some.  I might need to work hard and smart.  I might need to be educated, willing, and public.

But God’s job is justice.

When we see or experience injustice, it might seem that the solution is up to us.  And indeed, God might have plans to use us in bringing justice.

But there is a world of difference between me seeing injustice, worrying, becoming afraid, and charging the unjust gates… and seeing injustice, praying, trusting, and being at peace even in the unjust storm.

Fear not, then trust God’s justice.

Fear Not... Then Fellowship

Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (II John 12 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Fellowship

When God told Adam that, “It is not good that the man should be alone;” (Genesis 2:18 ESV) God was certainly talking about marriage.  But God was not only talking about Adam and the Eve to come.

He was talking about humankind.

Perhaps God could have created us all on our own planet… or at least placed each of us on our own islands.  But we were created to be in community.  Whether we are introverts or extroverts, we need others.  Whether we are people-people or not, we need others.  Whether we like our own space, or prefer crowds, we need others.

In fact, other people are a good next step after fear.

Companionship heals.  Fellowship completes us.  The Church is how God blesses us.

Perhaps this is a part of being created in God’s image.  God is never alone.  God is trinity.  And God, when creating the universe, capped that creation with beings.  And then immediately had relationship with those beings.

Too much time alone breeds sullenness.  Too much time alone leads to self-pity or self-centeredness.  Too much time alone shrinks our world, our knowledge, and our well-being.

And do not forget, Christ’s summary of the law requires us to BE with others.  We can not love if we are alone.

Fear not, then fellowship.

Fear Not... Then Ask

Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” (II Kings 4:1 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Ask

I thought I deserved a raise.  My work had been exemplary.  I had done well and had been training others to do well.  My wages, though, were underwhelming.  And it was time to ask.

But I was afraid.

My father had taught me that if you have to ASK for a raise you deserve, you are working at the wrong place.

The boss was not known for generosity.

It would be an embarrassing conversation.

But finally, I asked.  And the conversation was surprisingly uneventful.

Something like… “Sure.  No problem, Tom.”

The woman in II Kings had great needs.  And it looks like she had gotten past the fear of her predicament.  God had, perhaps, granted her faith.

And so, she asked for help.

Rather than return to fear, she asked Elisha for help.

Knowing her God… knowing, in a way… the Messiah to come… she asked Elisha for help.

Knowing that whether she received the exact help she sought, God WOULD be her rock, her fortress, her salvation, she asked Elisha for help.

No matter how big or small your crisis…

Fear not, then ask.

Fear Not... Then Be Hospitable

 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.  (III John 5 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Hospitable

I am not fond of strangers.  Unknown knockers at my door make me nervous.  Fellow shoppers starting a conversation with me make me suspicious.  I rarely answer telephone calls from unknown numbers.

And it is usually fear that keeps me to myself.

John writes to his friends, though, that hospitality is the correct response to strangers.  John does not write that fear of others is sometimes justified, even though perhaps it is.  John does not write that fear of others allows us to protect ourselves, even though perhaps it does.  John does not write that fear of others is safe, although perhaps it is.

He commends his readers for simply being hospitable. 

This is more than simply a command to do nice things.  It is based in the gospel.  We were strangers to God.  Worse than strangers, we were His enemies.  Worse than enemies we were betraying rebels, and often continue to be in our thoughts, words, and deeds.

Yet God, the hospitable One takes us into His home. (II Corinthians 5:1)

Yet Jesus, the hospitable One, prepares a home for us. (John 14:1,2)

Yet the Spirit, the hospitable one, makes US His home. (I Corinthians 3:16)

Remembering God’s hospitality, copy Him.
Fear not, then be hospitable.

Fear Not... Then Grow

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. (I John 3:2 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Grow

Once, as a child, I left a coffee can full of crayons in the back window of our car.  The state of those crayons declined.

Recently I found a hatchet in the grass by my woodpile.  The state of that hatchet had clearly declined.

Our mechanic warned us a few years ago that the suspension of our car might need some work.  Yesterday, we found out that the state of the struts had dangerously declined.

Things generally decline. 

Other than a Christian’s relationship with God.  That does not decline.  We are God’s children, now.  But we will grow so much that we will see God.

You know… that thing that sinful man cannot do and live? (Exodus 33:20)

We will see Him… because we will have grown that much.

That growth in Christ is not a smooth, upward sloping path.  The path goes up and down.  The path goes down and up. 

But it is heading up.

We will grow.

We will see Him as He is!  We will be with Him! 

Maybe today did not feel like it.  Maybe tomorrow will not seem like it.  Maybe this week will be more down than up.

But we will see Him!

Fear not, then grow.

Fear Not... Then Find Hope in Others' Faith

Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive. (I Thessalonians 3:8 The Message)

Fear not… Then Find Hope in Others’ Faith

Faith is a gift from God… a supernatural oomph of acceptance that can enable us to believe.  We do not always have that particular gift from God though.  Thankfully, we can see the gift given to others and find hope in THEIR faith.

Mothers refer to this when telling their doubting children, “I believe enough for both of us.”

Baseball players at bat experience this in the bottom of the ninth with a full count, and the best pitcher in the league about to throw a fantastic pitch… and the batter knows that his fans are trusting he CAN hit that spiraling ball.

Farmers think this way when they go out into the dry fields, and know that the entire county, from oldster to child, is hoping that the God of storms and calm can fix this drought.

The faith of others can inspire us.

It certainly did inspire Paul.

Fear not, then find hope in the faith of others.

Fear Not... Then Expect Manna

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna.  (Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Expect Manna

Mr. Haan rejected my pleas to be given the leading role in our school play, “The Prodigious Snob.”  He did not give me clear reasons why I was relegated to the minor set of multiple roles that year: The Dancing Master, a lackey, and a wild Arabian nomad.

But throughout that year… whether out of self-pity, awareness of my shortcomings, or hope… I practiced acting.  I took small parts in other plays.  I took big parts in short plays.  And the next year, when the casting was announced for Pygmalion, I was given the part of Henry Higgins.

Looking back, I could not have received or performed that part if I had not first experienced disappointment.

The wandering Israelites were humbled and hungry.  And in THAT context, God gave them manna.

It would not have tasted so good if they had not first been humbled and hungry.  It would not have been received with such joy if they had not first been humbled and hungry. It would not have been memorable as a blessing if they had not first been humbled and hungry.

God’s blessings are usually preceded by troubles, messes, and fears.  So when we are in the midst of those troubles, messes, and fears… look ahead and know what’s coming!

Fear not, then expect manna.

Fear Not... Then Be the Message

We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! (I Thessalonians 1:8 The Message)

Fear Not… Then BE the message

Francis of Assisi supposedly said, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching."  Maybe it was in a sermon on I Thessalonians 1:8…

Words are necessary.  Words are important.  But our actions often do speak more loudly than words. 

When we say that we trust in God, but act fearful of God’s enemies, our word can be doubted.

When we say that we trust in God, but express worry about circumstances, events, or news, our word can be doubted.

When we say that we trust in God, but seem to trust more in money, infrastructure, or our own skills, our word can be doubted.

Professing faith instead of fear is grand.  Acting like we have faith more than we have fear is using our amplifier turned up to ‘eleven.’

Fear not, then BE the message.

Fear Not... Then Return

For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it.” (Jeremiah 30:3 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Return

We have birds in our yard.  Some larger birds, and some tiny birds.  When the large birds shriek and attack the little birds those little birds panic.  They fly in circles, they drop their food-bits, they lose everything and are lost.

But the larger birds are mostly annoying.  They leave.  And then… the small birds return to what they were doing.  If I knew exactly which nearby nest was theirs, I could test this theory.

But I think, after the fear, they go home.

They regain everything they thought they had lost.

Certainly, God’s people in exile felt they had lost everything.  Big scary foreigners had attacked, squawked, slashed, and taken.  But God tells them that they will go back home.  They will regain what they had lost.

That promises echoes and bounces down to us, too.  God’s enemies (the flesh, the world, and Satan) shriek and swoop.  And in the resulting turmoil it feels like we have lost things.  And sometimes, we actually have.

But you are headed home.

Those things that might not be physically replaced will be returned improved.  Or rather, WE will be returned to our home, and our homely things, and our homely Father.

Look away from the flying scary things, and look ahead to home.

Fear not, then return.

Fear Not... Then Praise

You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’  “And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?’ (Deuteronomy 3:22-24 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Praise

Once while traveling, we entered a tornado warning zone.  We could see the scary clouds, and the wind was picking up, and the radio blared, “FIND SHELTER.”  We pulled off the road at a rest area, and joined an eclectic mix of elderly, young, and everything in between.

I recall a mom comforting her frightened youngster with words of hope and peace.  But the daughter did not respond well.  Instead, she criticized her mom’s statements.  I do not remember the exact words, but the girl said things like:

“You are not a weather lady… you are just saying nice things!”

“You also said the bee-sting wouldn’t hurt!”

“But the clouds are BIG… and DARK!”

In a way, the mom said, “fear not.”  And the girl responded with more fear.

God tells Moses not to be afraid, and Moses responds with praise.

In fact, Moses pleads with God to show Moses MORE amazing things… MORE fear-trouncing things… MORE displays of power, and wonder, and might.

We might be in the same situation.  God has told us, “fear not.”  And now we can choose to complain or to praise.  We can choose to worry or to praise.  We can choose to argue or to praise.  We can choose to be cynical or to praise.  We can choose to ignore, or to praise.

Moses is a good example to follow.

He more accurately understands the truth.

Fear not, then praise.

Fear Not... Then Jesus

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.[1] (I John 2:1 ESV)

Fear Not, Then Jesus

I used to be afraid of my allergies.  I had been taught that certain bugs, particular plants, and some animals were dangerous for me.  When I saw a bee, a dandelion, or a cat, I was afraid.

But I did not need to be.  Because I had medicine coursing through my veins and tissues.  Perhaps I needed to avoid those things, perhaps I needed to defend against those things, perhaps I needed to be protected against those things… but I didn’t need to be afraid.  The allergens had already lost.

Sin is scary.  But because of Jesus, we do not need to fear our sin ever again.  We should hate our sin, but not fear it.  We should combat our sin, but not fear it.  We should avoid our sin, but not fear it.  We should admit our sin, but not fear it.  We should confess our sin, but not fear it.  We should know our sin, but not fear it.  We should reject our sin, but not fear it.  We should notice our sin, but not fear it.  We should die to our sin, but not fear it.

Because Jesus’ blood courses through our lives.

Fear not, then Jesus.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Jn 2:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Fear Not... Then Be Remembered

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, (I Peter 1:1,2 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Remembered

I once visited a church that I had attended long before.  I walked into the building a bit early, expecting to stand by myself.  The previous few days had been chaotic… some things had not gone particularly well… and I was willing to wallow in my self-pity… on my own.  The troubles had been pushed away, even overcome.  But in the aftermath, I was willing to feel alone.

But God had a different message for me.  Almost everyone who came in the door remembered me.  Even faces that I did not recall smiled and welcomed me.  I might have felt like an exile: alone with my memories.  But in that church body I was remembered.

Loneliness sometimes follows times of trouble, even when the problems are resolved.  But Peter wrote his book to folk in exile.  Peter wrote encouragement to those who had overcome danger and now were perhaps too willing to be alone.  Peter reminded them that the God who helped, fixed, and conquered had not left them alone.

Knowing what He was doing, He sent them to new homes… and followed up with a letter.  Written by Peter’s hand, yes.  But written by their heavenly father to them, personally.

He told them that He remembered them.  Even in exile, they were the apple of His eye.

It is true for God’s people today, too.  He has not forgotten you, either.  Whether you are still in the midst of fearful things, or are in the often difficult aftermath… you are not alone.  God remembers you.

Fear Not… Then be remembered