Fear Not... Then Listen to Wisdom

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?  On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. (Proverbs 8:1-4 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Listen to Wisdom

I could not find my sunglasses!  And I need them to go outside into the bright sunlight!  I looked in the living room, the kitchen, and the front porch.  I looked on every table, flat surface, and counter.  But the sunglasses were unseen.

Then I noticed that my sunglasses were already on my face.

Right there in front of me.

Wisdom is like that, too.  Wisdom is not deeply hidden or found only after experimentation or experience.  Wisdom is not a mystery to be solved.  Wisdom is not complicated, confusing, or tricky.

Biblically, wisdom is simply choosing to listen to God instead of anyone else.

And His voice is not hidden.

His voice is obvious, clear, and central.

His voice is public, understandable, and easily grasped.

His voice is most clear in Scripture, but in the light of the Bible, His voice is also found in creation, science, community, and the Spirit’s quiet inner voice.

Fear not, then listen to wisdom.

Fear Not... Then Pray for Change

Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.. (I Chronicles 4:10 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Pray For Change

When I was young, I picked my nose.  I know… it is disgusting.  But I found myself in a pattern that repeated itself, repeatedly.  To break the pattern, I asked my mom to yell at me whenever I touched my nose.  I really do not recall how many times she actually yelled at me for that, but I remember my reasoning.  I needed something startling to break the cycle of nose-picking.  And it worked.

Jabez saw a cycle taking place in his life.  Smack dab in the middle of the time of the Judges, things were getting worse and worse.  And each problem seemed to lead to a recurrence of previous problems.

Perhaps he saw in his name, which meant, “Birthed in pain,” a way out of the cycle.  Every time Jabez was greeted on the street, he was reminded of the painful cycles of life.  Every time he conversed with a friend who used his name, Jabez was reminded of the painful cycles of life.  He heard his name, and saw the cycle.

So Jabez asked God to lessen the pains of life, and give blessings instead.

And God, because Jabez had shown the ONLY way to break out of our sinful destructive cycles, answered Jabez’s prayer.

Our fear can be cyclical, too.  Old problems return.  Old sins resurface.  Old troubles repeat.

Rather than try to fix them on your own, copy Jabez.

Fear not, then pray for change.

Fear Not... Then Be Childlike

And calling to him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Childlike

I did not say, “Childish.”  Jesus does not desire us to be selfish, immature, unfocussed, or needy.  Those attributes are childish.

Instead, when Jesus requires us to be “like children,” he further defines childlike as, “humble.”

A child requires help to reach the cupboard, and knows it.  A child depends on the powerful and experienced, and knows it.  A child needs to trust others’ decisions, and knows it.  A child has to be fed, protected, and informed, and knows it.

In relation to the One True Living God, through His Son, Christ Jesus…

A Christian requires help from God to accomplish tasks, and knows it.  A Christian depends on THE Powerful and The Experienced and knows it.  A Christian needs to trust God’s Word and His Will, and knows it.  A Christian has to be fed, protected, and informed by God, and knows it.

It is not time to grow up.  It is time to grow down.

Fear not, then be childlike.

Fear Not... Then Take a Stand

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Take a Stand

I once went to McDonald’s with a man who had never visited the Golden Arches.  He stood in front of the menu and said nothing.  His eyes went from item to item.  But he seemed unable to decide.  Every menu-choice seemed to lead to insecurity and second guessing.  Even after he finally selected a Quarter Pounder, he slumped to his seat, unsure that he had made the right choice.

As soon as he tasted it though, all was well.

Jesus asked the disciples to consider all the options for who He was.  They mentioned John the Baptist, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.  (Matthew 16:13) In the end, Jesus asked who THEY said that Jesus was.

He asked them to make a stand.

To risk being wrong, to risk mockery, to risk their reputations, to risk, in fact, everything.

It should not have been a difficult choice.  He had shown them who He was, told them who He was, and challenged them to believe.  And I imagine that the Holy Spirit was shouting to them, saying, “HE IS THE CHRIST!”

And so Peter, sometimes impetuous, but here, brave, makes his choice.  He says that Jesus is the Messiah.

We are called to make a similar stand.

Our world denies that Jesus is divine, the Messiah, or maybe even historical.  Today we could make a long list about who OTHERS say Jesus is.

But every time that He has overcome your fear, He has shown you who He is.

And every time you read even a small part of the Bible, He has told you who He is.

And while the world doubts, and mocks, and tempts, the Holy Spirit has shouted to you, too.

Fear not, then make a stand.

Fear Not... Then Unity

 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.  (I Corinthians 1:10 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Unity

A good friend in elementary school would only eat Chocolite Bars.  “Anything else,” he claimed, “is not really chocolate.”  Others of us disagreed.

It seemed to us that what makes a candy bar, “chocolate” is… well… chocolate.

A man who attended a different church then me once uttered, “I think we should all join together in one church.  As long as it is MY church.  You all have so many things wrong”

He was right in one sense.  The Church is not Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, or Non-Denominational.  The church is composed of those who lean solely on Christ Jesus for life, and life hereafter. 

But we are not expected to agree on everything.  That is not the unity Paul describes.  He did not mean that we should only speak in unison.  He did not mean that we all must understand God’s Truth in exactly the same way.

But what makes a church, “Christian” is… well… Christ.

The way forward in our tumultuous times is unity in Christ. 

I believe that today, I am correct in most of my particular, detailed articles of faith.  And we might disagree with some of those articles.  You or I are probably wrong about some of them.

But that does not cause insecurity or fear.

Because at the core of our belief, we can stand as one.  Where Jesus stands, we can stand as one.

Fear not, then unity.

Fear Not... Then Give

Friday

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” (Romans 15:2,3 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Help

Andrew Carnegie was a rich man.  And THAT was an understatement. 

But more than that, he understood the way God works in the world.  Even though his income in the final years of his earthly life exceeded the income of many nations, Carnegie died almost penniless.

Because he gave it all away.

Perhaps he did not give in the manner that we would or do.  He rarely gave to churches.  He did not seek out the unemployed and aid them.  He did not fund hospitals, political campaigns, or foodbanks.  But on his list of charities, he created libraries, he funded schools, he aided veterans, and he sought to assist those who sought to work hard.

It seems Andrew Carnegie understand that the things he had been given, were given so that he could help others.

But Christ’s example is even broader than Carnegie’s.  Because Jesus had more than money, income, and capital.  Jesus had glory, all power, perfect righteousness, and love.

Yet Jesus used each of them for the benefit (the necessary benefit) of the unlovely, the undeserving, and those who did not care about Him.

He spent His glory on the shame of the cross.  He spent  His power empowering His adopted brothers and sisters.  He spent His righteousness giving us righteous coverings.  He spent His love enabling us to love: Him, and others.

He took away every reason to fear that we might have.  And now, what do we get to do?

Fear not, then help.

Fear Not... Then Fear Not

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans,

feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Fear Not

I sat on an airplane next to a teenager who was pontificating to the person on his other side.  Discussing fashion, and obviously so much more, he espoused, “I absolutely hate ANYone who wears white socks with dark shoes!” 

I looked down, and I admit I felt a little shame for a moment.  I was wearing white socks and dark shoes.

I probably had nothing to fear.  That young man had no control, power, or influence over me. 

But God’s list in the book of Proverbs is different.

Read that list again.  While some people might pretend to read that list and feel pretty good about their week’s activities, most of us read that list and realize our predicament is worse than mine on the airplane.

At the risk of insulting you, here are those verses again: There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV)

I have those things.  I have done those things.  I am those things.

But this list is not intended to turn us to despair and continued fear.  The list is intended to prove to us that we are in desperate need of a miracle.  We need something to divert God’s hate.  We need something to enable us to not be an abomination to Him.

That is where Jesus steps in.

Jesus takes the guilt of our haughty eyes, lying tongues, guilty hands, sneaky hearts, hasty feet, false witnessing, and pot-stirring on HIMSELF.

Jesus begs God to hate HIM instead of us.

And God did exactly that.

So we, humbly, ashamedly, awefully, eagerly, greedily, and joyfully do not need to fear God’s hatred any more.

Fear not, then fear not.

Fear Not... Then Listen For Jesus

They just use me as a cover, for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”(Matthew 15:9 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Listen For Jesus

I’ve noticed in the last few years that nearly every political viewpoint in the USA seems to claim Ronald Reagan as one of their own.  From Socialists to Libertarian, from Communists to Neo-Nazis, from Democrats to Republicans, Ronald Reagan is named, quoted, and apparently followed.

But politically, it is not enough to drop his name.

And it is not enough to drop Jesus’ name, either. (Matthew 7:21)

I just spent some time looking.  And perhaps it should not surprise us, but both conservative and liberal Christians claim Jesus would take their side.  Even more, I found that some Hindus like Him, some Muslims quote Him, Universalists embrace Him, Buddhists endorse Him, and even some atheists use His words.

But claiming His name is not enough.

With so many philosophies, worldviews, and ideas bombarding our ears, it might be frightening to listen to open our ears.  How can we know what to believe?

But Jesus Himself gives us the litmus test.  Those who teach according to their fancy, are not from Him.  But those who teach towards, about, and for Jesus… those are trustworthy.

So what kind of things can we be sure do NOT come from Jesus, even if they seem like it?  Anyone who teaches that heaven-residence is self-determined.  Anyone who pushes us towards fear, as if anything out there is more powerful than Jesus.  Anyone who proposes that we can determine someone else’s insides based on our analysis of their outsides.  Anyone who argues that grace is not free. 

When you hear those kinds of things… shut your ears.

Fear not, then listen for Jesus.

Fear Not... Then Be Compassionate

Yes, God will judge his people, but oh how compassionately He’ll do it. (Deuteronomy 32:36 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Be Compassionate

One of my favorite teachers in Middle School was Mr. Frank Huyser.  He taught history, and had a reputation for being a very tough grader.  Often history is graded on a ‘close enough’ basis, unlike math, or science.  But Mr. Huyser filled our papers with red ink when we were wrong.

But his red ink was not only declaring inaccuracy.  He also explained the correct answer, and encouraged us in our efforts.  Somehow, Mr. Huyser almost made us feel good for our efforts, however wrong our results were.

In that way, Mr. Huyser was a Godly teacher.  Not only for teaching a Biblical view of history, but he copied God’s methods.

Because God judges His people, but does it compassionately.

He does not ignore our sin, or pretend that our evil is somehow good.  He judges with accuracy.  He judges with awareness.  He judges with a hatred of all Sin.

But He is also compassionate.  He teaches us, in His Word, why our sin is sinful.  And the difficult days in which we experience the disciplining effects of our sins are also good.  Christians are often aware that God’s hand is a loving hand. 

But most of all, while we do experience His discipline as our sins have effects, He does not choose to punish us.  Instead, He showed (and shows) His compassion by punishing Jesus on the cross.   This is, of course, the core of the gospel.

But rather than comfortably bask in that peace, it should give us reason to do likewise.  Our humble confidence in God’s grace, rather than fear, regarding our hope of heaven leads us to act like God in this way.

We can mirror God’s compassion when as we encounter others.   We must call sin, Sin, but with understanding.  We must call sin, Sin, but also declare the hope of the gospel.  We must call sin, Sin, but also weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)

Fear not, then be compassionate

Fear Not... Then Lean

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Lean

I have a fancy, location-decorated walking stick.  I do not do enough hiking to make this stick a necessary part of my life, but when I HAVE needed it, I have been glad to have it.  I was mildly stranded, for instance, in the woods behind Mt. Rushmore a few years ago.  The weather turned nasty, I got turned around, and my three-mile hike was vastly extended.

I needed my stick on THAT day.

My own rubbery legs and sore back were not strong enough.  But I leaned on my stick!

Our understanding of events sometimes is like my rubbery legs.  We need something else to lean on. 

And that something else is the Lord, according to this verse.

In fact, I probably need that stick in my life more often than I admit it.

I tend to lean on my own understanding regarding my financial decisions.  I tend to lean on my own understanding when it comes to winning arguments.  I tend to lean on my own understanding when it comes to daily health concerns.  I tend to lean on my own understanding when it comes to dealing with my fears.

But instead, I could lean on the stick God gives me.  His word, His Spirit, His Son, His love, His power, His providence.

Fear Not… then lean.

Fear Not... Then Notice the Calendar

 In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. (II Kings 25:8-9 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Notice the Calendar

In the Bible, years are counted oddly.  There was no over-arching calendar system.  Usually, the year of Judah’s or Israel’s king is noted as a way to place the events on a timeline.  But here, as the events in Judah develop, the year of King Zedekiah’s reign is not mentioned.  Instead, the context of these horrific events is the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, Emperor of Babylon.

It is, perhaps, a symbolic way of noting that God’s people were now under the authority of Babylon.

Historically, as Christianity grew in Europe, we began to make note that local leaders are not the standard for record-keeping.  Instead, scholars began to note the number of years since the Messiah’s birth… since the incarnation.  So rather than, “the 5th year of King Bottlenose IV,” they wrote, ‘the year of our Lord 946.”  In Latin, this was written, “Anno Domini,” and abbreviated, “A.D.”

As long as our calendars, historians, and birthdates use A.D. it is a reminder of Christ’s Kingship.

It is no surprise that some scholars desire to replace A.D. with something else.  But even if academia starts using a different abbreviation, or even a different numbering system, Christians can find comfort in remembering Christ’s rule in our lives.

We have nothing to fear when Jesus is King.  Let the calendar remind you of that every day.

Fear not, then notice the calendar.

Fear Not... Then Look for God's Hand

None of this was by chance.   (II Kings 24:3 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Look for God’s Hand

Judah was in trouble.  King Nebuchadnezzar had finished them off as a nation.  God’s people were being dispersed.  On almost every measurable scale, Judah had lost.

But God tells them that no matter how bad it is, God is at work.  He is doing His good work.  He is keeping all of His promises.  And while the promises of wrath were most obviously in front of their eyes, God wants them to remember the promises of restoration, of redemption, of hope.

When our times are troubled, either politically, financially, relationally, emotionally, or spiritually, we notice the troubles.  And even after we have learned that God overcomes all fears, that fear pathway is very comfortable.  And perhaps we begin to trod on it again.

But things do not, “just happen.”  We might not see His wheels moving behind the scenes, but He is at work.  We might not see His blueprints, but He is at work.  We might not see His roadmap, but He is at work.

For Judah, God was humbling them.  For Judah, God was preparing them for an outpouring of meaningful grace.  For  Judah, God was preparing the way for His Son, our Messiah.  For Judah, God was putting them in a hole so deep they could not help but look up towards Him.

God is up to something grand for you, too.  No matter how dark the skies.  No matter how lonely the room.  No matter how fearsome the catastrophe.  God’s hand is lovingly at work.  I guarantee His work has something to do with Jesus. 

Fear not, then look for God’s hand.

Fear Not... Then Be Patient

And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah.  But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the Lord in Jerusalem. (II Kings 23:21-23 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Patient

My hearing aids really do help me hear.  But I have had a frustration with my hearing aid company.  Each time I enter their office for a maintenance check, I have had the same request.  I asked them to increase the base line for my hearing aids.  They nod sagely and have offered a slight increase and a large explanation as to the disadvantage of giving me what I wanted. 

But this time, they hooked me up to a new machine.  And they found that I have been regularly increasing the volume.  With shock they exclaimed, “Wow!  Let’s raise your base level so you do not have to do that!”

They finally did what I asked!

And I was reminded of the Israelites from the time of the judges to the wonderful rein of King Josiah.  Were you surprised to read that the Israelites had not kept the Passover Feast in all of those years?  But apparently, other than the time of the exile, from then on, they celebrated. 

Not only does this display God’s patience with Israel… but I can imagine prophets and priests, scribes and scholars, devout people of God crying out, “Please celebrate Passover!”  And being given reasons why it just was not practical yet.  Maybe next year.

Perhaps we are not as frightened as last year.  And when we look around at others who still seem to be afraid, we might react impatiently. 

Perhaps we are more interested in obedience than we used to be.  And when we look around at others who still seem mired in selfish, worldly ideals, we might react impatiently.

Perhaps we are able to trust God more deeply than we did last week.  And when we look around at others who display doubt, skepticism, or disbelief, we might react impatiently.

Jesus is our Josiah, who reminds us and urges us to fear not, to obey Him, and to trust God.  Be patient while others find the ears to hear Him.

Fear not, then be patient.

Fear Not... Then Surprisingly Love!

…and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Surprisingly Love!

The story of Romeo and Juliet is surprising because their families had taught them to hate, but they chose love.  The annoying story of that cat and dog who traveled together across America, even though dogs and cats are absolutely known to hate each other is surprising.  A tale I recently read about German POW’s in Central Kansas who ended up marrying All-American loyal Americans is surprising.

Jesus declares that when we become different, as His followers, we will be hated.  But do not despair.  He encourages we hated folk to endure till the end, promising us His salvation.

That ‘endure’ word, though is tricky.  By ‘endure’ Jesus does not mean, sullenly hunker down in your hate bunker.  He does not mean swim in the pool of self-pity.  He does not mean plan your revenge on the haters.

Jesus means, ‘keep on loving.’

His commandment to His people is ALWAYS to keep on loving.  He summarizes the ten commandments with the word, “love.”  He repeats His instructions repeatedly.  He displays love throughout His live, death, and life… so that we will imitate Him.

And this love that He asks of us is surprising.  Our world urges getting even.  Our world urges protecting ourselves.  Our world urges imitating hate, repeating hate, embracing hate.  Since we were hated first.

But we were also loved, first.

And His love is greater than hate.

Fear not, then surprisingly love.

Fear Not... Then Come Inside

What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?” Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” (Matthew 9:11-13 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Come Inside

This is an ironic story.  The Jews of Jesus day, having been saved by God’s mercy and grace (as they were supposed to remember every Passover feast!) had forgotten how God had saved them.  They had forgotten that they, if left to their own devices, would be crooks and riffraff, too.

But Jesus sees things as they are.  The only difference between those outsider crooks and riffraff, and the insider crooks and riffraff is Jesus Himself. 

The outsiders sought Him, knowing He was their only hope.  The insiders rejected Him, thinking they did not really need Him.

Whether you see yourself as an outsider or an insider, stop using those labels.  Both outsiders and insiders need the Jesus gate.  Both need HIM to welcome us crooks and riffraff.

In fact, in the big scheme of things, there are no outsiders and insiders.  Only self-siders and Jesus-siders.

Fear not, then come inside.

Fear Not... Then Let God Know

Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south? (Job 39:26 ESV)

 Fear Not… Then Let God Know

I once spent most of an afternoon with Author and Theologian John Stott.  In his day, he was among the most respected and read Biblically conservative pastor on the planet.  While attending seminary, I was tasked with picking him up from the airport and entertaining him in the hours preceding a presentation he was making that evening.

I had a grand time.  I told him about Mississippi.  I told him about Michigan.  I told him about my car.  I told him about my wife.  I told him about my dog.  I told him about the books I was reading.  I told him about how popular he was.  I told him how much I enjoyed his most famous books.  I told him… well, I told him a lot of stuff.

Years later, I was ashamed of that afternoon.

I was so interested in presenting my knowledge, that I did not take the opportunity to find out what Dr. Stott knew.  I barely asked him any questions.  I did not listen, other than as a preamble to making more statements myself.

And while you probably would have been more mature than I was in that particular situation, isn’t it a pretty common attitude?  We mistrust what others, no matter how expert, have to say.  We know what WE know, and are not amazing listeners. 

And we join Job in having that non-listening attitude when it comes to what God says.

Job 39 is filled with God’s list to Job of SOME of the things that He knows, that Job does not.  Job finally listens, and stops demanding that God listen to HIM. 

We are not going to know everything.  But God does.  Our expertise in any area is a drop in the ocean of God’s knowledge.

At first, we might not like that.  Our brain pride is intense.   Our encyclopedic knowledge no longer fits in encyclopedia sets.  But eventually, as we discover how many things we really do NOT know, it is the most comforting thing we CAN know.  Trusting HIS knowledge is more reliable than trusting 17 PhDs.  Trusting HIS knowledge is more helpful than trusting in all the meteorologists in the world.  Trusting in HIS knowledge is more absolute than any school of philosophy ever founded.

And through His Word, His Son, and His Spirit, He tells us the great things we need to know.

Fear not, then let God know.

Fear Not... Then Ignore the World

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32,33 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Ignore the World

When we were first married, we were in Amway.  Yes, we drew circles on a white board and tried to convince people to join our money-making plan.  We did not do very well at it.

Mostly because we were ashamed of our Amway membership.  In western Michigan (Amway’s home) most of us rolled our eyes at the thought of Amway.  We belittled anyone who announced they had ‘joined.’  Amway, despite’s it’s contribution to Michigan’s economy, was not respected, liked, or appreciated.

So we did not admit it to our family, our friends, or our general community.  This makes it difficult to build an Amway group!

Some of us treat our Christianity in the same way.  As modern America forgets our Biblical roots, it is less socially acceptable to be an unabashed Christian.  As the world despises our desire to adhere to God’s Law, it is dangerous to announce that God’s Law is our standard.  As the entertainment industry mocks us, our educational system derides us, and our government appears to be conspiring against us, it sometimes feels good to hide.

But do not hide.

Our world, one of God’s three enemies, seems to have power, but the world can not hold a candle to God’s light.  Our world, one of God’s three enemies, seems to have the future planned out, but the world knows nothing about tomorrow, where God already dwells.  The world, one of God’s three enemies, clamors for our attention, but God shouts more beautifully and louder in every atom, galaxy, minute, decade, event, word, and activity we might see.

AND His message is better!  Instead of offering doubt, He offers faith.  Instead of bringing fear, He brings hope.  Instead of cultivating selfishness and cruelty, He is love.

Fear not, then ignore the world.

Fear Not... Then Follow

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 ESV)

Fear Not... Then Follow

Today, it seems everyone hates politicians.  In Jesus day, everyone hated tax collectors.  They were the bottom of the barrel, the slime on the pond, and the scum on a dog’s toenails.

It must have been a surprise to the community when Jesus chose one of THEM to be one of His special disciples.

But Jesus knows what He is doing.  He is willing and eager to take even the shame of a tax collector on His back.  In fact, this is a core of the gospel.

It is not merely tax collectors that Jesus is willing to carry.  It is every breaker of God’s commands.  It is every arrogant person.  It is every liar.  It is every self-centered man, and every self-centered woman.  It is every one who has ignored, belittled, or forgotten God’s Holy Word. 

Do not be astonished at His choice of a rotten, no good, cheating, deceitful, two-faced, greedy tax collector.  And do not be astonished at His choice of a rotten, no good, cheating, deceitful, two-faced, greedy me and you.

Just rise from your old self and follow Him.

Fear not, then follow.

Fear Not... Then Return

Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. (Hosea 6:1 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Return

My boss and I had been friends, but then he stopped talking to me.  I had lied on a sales report, padding my totals out of embarrassment.  And he had found out.

The relationship was broken, with obvious consequences.  He was still my boss.  I was still his employee.  But work had now become unpleasant.

For awhile I just trod on.  Hoping things would get better.  But things got worse.

And finally, I did what I should have done right away.  I returned to his office, apologized, and promised to improve my behavior. 

Hosea knows that the Lord has torn God’s people because they had left Him.  Hosea knows that the Lord has struck His people because they had left Him.  And so Hosea knows that the way to be healed is to turn again to Him.  Hosea knows that the way to be have their wounds bound is to turn again to Him.

In the same way, perhaps some of the things we have been afraid of have actually been our fault. 

Maybe we have some returning to do.

My boss was eager for reconciliation, I found out.  God was eager for reconciliation, Hosea’s audience found out.  And God is eager for that reconciliation with us, too.  Try Him.

Fear not, then return.

Fear Not... Then Give

When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket… (Deuteronomy 26:1,2 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Give

An elementary school chum usually shared his lunch with me.  While my sack lunch was usually made up of a dried beef sandwich, a plastic baggy of chips, an apple, and a homemade cookie… HIS lunch included candy bars, Fritos, Oreo cookies, and other such delightful treats.  As we ate our lunches, I would keep my eye on his disappearing meal.  When he was finished, he would often hand out his leftovers. 

I would eat them with wonder.

 But I never thought of his gift as a meaningful sacrifice.  My place in his pantheon of friends was shown by WHEN he would donate to my lunch.  I received his leftovers.

I was still grateful, mind you!  But we both understood that giving leftovers is not the same thing as giving away something precious, first.

That is why God asked His people to give offerings of FIRST fruits.  He is not desiring our leftovers, whether in terms of money, time, or effort.  Leftovers show our gratitude in a different way than giving to God, first.

Notice that God’s instructions were particularly focused on what the Israelites were supposed to do after they successfully entered the promised land.  After the fearful struggles were over.  When fear had given way to peace. 

Then, aware that God had removed the reasons for their fears, they could show their understanding by giving to God first.

It is true for us, as well.  While plenty of things are still scary all around us, in Christ we have no reason to fear.  And like the grateful Israelites, we can show that we understand what God does for us.

We can give, first… not leftovers.  We can give before we have figured out if we have ‘enough.’  We can give because we are glad to acknowledge His conquering of our fears… by not being afraid to distribute our resources.

Not just money, but also time.  Not just finances, but also energy.  Not just possessions, but also priorities. 

Fear not, then give.