Fear Not... Then Follow the Boss

And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9 ESV)

Fear Not… and Follow the Boss

One of the worst jobs I ever held down had too many bosses.  One man and woman owned the business.  Another man was in charge of us physical laborers.  Another man set the overall schedule.  A woman controlled our daily activities.

That is not unusual, I suppose.  But each of these bosses believed they had ultimate authority.  Often we went through our day spinning our wheels… listening to one boss until another one contradicted those orders.  In the end, we learned to ask the owners what they wanted us to do.  Unfortunately, there were still two of them!

Many people claim authority over us.  And sometimes those authorities conflict, and make our lives difficult and a little scary.

But Jesus reminds us that we have one Father.  He is not denying that we have earthly parents, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, and even grandparents.  But over them is one Father.

He is not denying that God has delegated some authority to the State.  But over them is one Father.

He is not denying that God has delegated some authority to the Church.  But over them is one Father.

He is not denying that God has delegated some authority to fathers.  But over them is one Father.

And this seems like good news to us.  Who likes authority over us?  Human history is the story of rebellion against authority.

But we usually try to put ourselves over all those other authorities.  We want to listen to whomever we agree with.  Jesus says something different.

God is the ultimate authority.  Nothing else.

Fear not, then follow the boss.

Fear Not... Then Love

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Love

My weed-eater was taken apart and spread out on my workbench.  I sort of recognized most of the parts, but it had been two months since I took it apart.  I sort of remembered my plan of repair, but somehow, in that moment, all I could do was hold a socket wrench, 3-in-1 oil, and some duct tape… and stare at the disassembled machine.

I did not even know where to begin.

But then I recalled two basic tenets of lawn-machinery assembly.  First, figure out ALL the parts before assembling ANY parts.  And second, things that look like they fit together, probably do.

With those concepts as a foundation… the reassembly began! I was no longer afraid.

Each day, we have decisions spread out before us like a torn apart weed-eater on a workbench. Some days we do not know where to begin.

But Jesus gives us two basic tenets of the Christian life:  Love God, and Love Others.

Every decision fits onto those two foundations.  How can this decision enable me to love God?  And how can this decision enable me to love others?

I did not need a Masters’ Degree in Weed-eater-ology to know what to do.  And we do not need a Masters’ Degree in Theology, either.

We need two foundations.

Love God.

Love Others.

And we can know what to do in any situation.

Fear not, then love.

Fear Not... Then Live

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:32 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Live

After public speaking, the next statistically prominent fear is the fear of death.  Even Christians, strangely, fear death.

The rest of the world has good reason to be afraid of death.  Because even more than not knowing what is behind door number three, they do not know what happens when they die.  But Christians do know.  The only unsure thing is how MANY rooms are in our heavenly homes.  Jesus says that He is the God of what IS, not merely what WAS.  He IS the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob… who are still alive, because they belong to God.

Of course, uncomfortableness surrounds death.  Some details are unsure.  But we know death is not the end, because it was not the end for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Of course, insecurity surrounds death.  We do not know exactly what it will feel like.  But God’s love of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ensures that the process is not horrible… and it will not be horrible for us, either.

Of course, some unsureness surrounds death.  We have not travelled that path yet.  But Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob walked that way successfully.   All of His children will, too.

Fear not, then live.

Fear Not... Then Examine Yourself

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Examine Yourself

My lawn mower stopped working last week.  I discovered an important part of the mower that I had been ignoring.  These days, in a zero-turn mower, each of the rear wheels has it’s own transmission.  And while I regularly check the mechanics of the mower deck, the air pressure in the tires, the air intake and exhaust… I did not know that just like older mowers, the wheels are still driven by an old-fashioned belt.

I had never checked THAT belt.

And it broke.

I could avoid responsibility and claim that this breakdown was simply natural decay and the effect of time and friction.  But I should have been checking the drive belt, just like I check the rest of my beloved mower.

A Christian needs to examine ourselves, too.  Maybe we regular check our obvious habits.  Maybe we regularly check the ten commandments.  Maybe we regularly check our words, and our deeds.

But this verse reminds us to check the hidden areas of our heart, too.  Maybe even some of those areas that we are not aware of. 

Some hidden disbelief, when Jesus says, “do not worry.” (Luke 12:29.)  Some hidden disbelief, when you fear Jesus could not possibly keep loving you. (Hebrews 13:5) Some hidden disbelief, when we doubt Jesus REALLY bought our forgiveness. (Psalm 103:12)

Those kinds of disbeliefs are not obvious.  Those kinds of disbeliefs are not necessarily harmful to others.  Those kinds of disbeliefs are often hidden deeply, unnoticed, and ignored.

But they lead us away from God.

Stop it.

Fear not, then examine yourself.

Fear Not... Then Hope

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Hope

My favorite location used to be Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio.  Cedar Point sported the fast roller coaster in the world.  In Cedar Point were the best junk food treats.  Cedar Point included a thrilling mine ride, a gigantic movie screen, interesting gift shops, and an ever changing diorama of small rides, events, and craft displays.

But it was hours and hours away.

To get to Cedar Point, I had to endure carsickness, the heat of summer, intense boredom, and stiff sore muscles. 

But I did not care.  The near-perfection of Cedar Point was a magnet that pulled me through all those troubles with anticipation and excitement.  I probably would have been willing to endure even more!

Cedar Point is a drop in the bucket compared to heaven.  And heaven is where Christ’s people are headed.

The trip there might seem too long or too short.  The road might be slippery, or bumpy, or crossed by chasms.  Our troubles are many, and our pains deep.

But heaven…

The Revelation of John draws on the Biblical picture of the church being the bride of Christ for a good reason.  Because wedding days are often like my trips to Cedar Point.

The steps along the way, particularly on that stressful day, are stressful and difficult.

But the appearance of the bride… the physical presence of love… the fulfilment of all of those hopes that led up to that moment… sometimes takes our breath away.

Heaven is coming like that.

Fear not, then hope.

Fear Not.. Then Gospel

I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (I Corinthians 9:22-23 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Gospel!

Mountain Man Hugh Glass, having been mauled by a grizzly bear, traveled nearly 200 miles.  Crawling, dragging his maimed body, finding what nourishment and shelter he could, he eventually reached civilization.  Knowing the region he traversed, I can not imagine how he survived.

But he must have been strongly motivated.  He sought revenge on those who had abandoned him.  He was trying to retain precious life.  He was willing to endure due to the importance of his goals.

Paul was also strongly motivated because he understood how precious the gospel of Jesus Christ is.  He writes here that he was even willing to surrender his own plans, his own roles, his own personality if it would help someone find the hope of the gospel.  He was willing to become whatever was needed, if it would point to faith in Christ.

This is hard for modern folks to accept.  I like my personality, mostly.  I have worked hard for my position.  I protect my rights, my possessions, my relationships, and my worldview.  But Paul says the gospel is more than all of those things.

Another result of Paul’s challenge is context for my suffering.  If God is giving me difficulties so that those very difficulties point someone to Jesus, shouldn’t that be worth it?  If God is holding back some blessing that I think I deserve so that somehow someone notices Jesus, shouldn’t that be worth it?  If things are not going my way because God is taking me a different way because on that path is someone who needs to find Jesus, shouldn’t that be worth it?

Rather than fear those things that appear so dark, shouldn’t we see the darkness as a way to bring Christ’s light?

Fear not, then the gospel.

Fear Not... Then the Cross

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (I Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

Fear Not… Then the Cross

I used to laugh at people who used old tea bags to sooth sunburn.  Then I discovered it works.  I used to laugh at old folks who budgeted down to the penny.  Then I discovered that it works.  I used to laugh at attic fans, ceiling fans, and window fans.  Then I discovered they work.

There is a lot of stuff I laugh at, that maybe I shouldn’t.

Outsiders laugh at Christianity. 

Much of the university system thinks the idea of God is goofy.  Our governments seem hellbent on destroying or obscuring Christ’s church.  Christians are portrayed in the entertainment industry as fools, hypocrites, or idiots.

Outsiders laugh at Christianity… and maybe that makes you insecure.  Maybe it makes you doubt the work of Christ.  Maybe it makes you afraid that the majority is correct.

Outsiders laugh at Christianity… but they shouldn’t.

Because those who laugh are perishing.  But we are being saved.

Fear not… then the cross.

Fear Not... Then Temple Up

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. (I Corinthians 3:16,17 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Temple Up

Ted Kidder was my best friend’s cousin.  Not a close relationship, I realize… but it was enough for me to leverage as a defense against bullies in high school.  I was mostly bookish, not athletic, and a bit sarcastic.  Those things normally would have painted a target on my back, yes?

But I was defended by the ominous presence of Ted Kidder.  Ted talked to me at parties.  Ted lumped me together with his cousin. Ted once gave me a ride after school.  Everyone saw him greet me warmly.  Everyone saw him let me drive his car out of the parking lot.

And Ted Kidder had a Black Belt in karate, or some sort of martial art.  I really don’t remember.

But everyone assumed that the wrath of Ted Kidder would come upon them if they gave me trouble.

I am not really sure Ted would have cared one bit if someone picked on me.

But I have a better defender.  Because my relationship with God is much more real than merely being my best friend’s cousin.

In fact, God thinks enough of me that He says I am His temple!

Not because I am temple-like.  But because Christ in me, is.

What do I have to fear?  God dwells here.  What do I have to fear? God is home with me.  What do I have to fear? God defends His temple.

And if you are a Christian, you are His temple, too.

Fear Not… Then Temple up.

Fear Not... Then Depend

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1,2 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Depend on God

Those who live for a while on the International Space Station tell of a strange absence of fear up there in their tin can in a vacuum.  We would expect them to be a little nervous.  But because the station is still relatively small, they are able to continuously notice certain safety features of their habitat.

Some find comfort in the regularly placed oxygen containers, like scuba tanks.  It is not true that exposure to space instantly brings death.  And those breathing apparatus are reminders of help in the event of a breach.

Some find comfort in the constant hum of machinery.  The ISS is engineered with backups, backups, and backups.  If something breaks down, other machines are ready to take over, and are actually probably already running.  Those soft sounds are reminders of help in the event of Murphy’s Law manifestations.

Some find comfort in the other experts inhabiting the station.  Residents are chosen because of expertise in a number of fields.  If the unexpected happens, someone probably has knowledge and experience to weather the crisis.  Those companions are reminders of potential solutions to unforeseen problems.

The Israelites living near Jerusalem could see the mountains of that city, particular the Temple Mount.  It is visible from nearly anywhere in the general vicinity of the Holy City.  And that Temple Mount was a reminder of God’s presence and God’s help.

We pretend that we are independent.  But we are not.  We are dependent upon the one true King.  We are dependent upon the God who created the universe.  We are dependent upon our Redeemer.  We are dependent upon the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

While we can not see the Temple Mount, all around us are reminders of God’s help.  The Christian community reminds us of others’ stories of help.  Creation reminds us of God’s power, ready to help.  And certainly His Word reminds us in clear, reliable, and dependable promises of help.

Fear Not… Then Depend.

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.