Fear Not... And Wait

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. (Genesis 21:5 ESV)

Fear Not… And Wait

A few months ago I ordered a book online.  It was the final book in a series that I have enjoyed.  And it did not arrive.  I wrote to the bookseller and was assured of the book’s imminent arrival.  I waited.  I checked tracking numbers and shipping data.  It did not arrive.  I waited.

I waited so long that I forgot about the book.

And then it arrived.

The promises were kept!

It felt so long to wait for that book, it was nothing compared to Abraham’s waiting.  God starting promising children to Abram way back in Genesis 12.  At least (depending on how you number the promises) eight times, God promised children.

And Abram waited.  He waited through travels, troubles, and a name change.  He waited until it became obviously impossible that God would keep His promises.   Abraham and Sarah even connived to help God (as if He needed help) to keep His promises by siring a child through another woman. 

Abraham waited until he was 100 years old.

Yet God had meant what God had said.  He always does.

What has God promised you that you still wait for?  He has promised eternal life.  He has promised peace.   He has promised protection.  He has promised things large and things small.

And we often wait.

But I assure you, that if we are of a mind… we will be able to spend a lot of our eternal time in heaven noticing and recounting how God DID keep every promise to His people.  Because that is what He does.

Fear not, and wait.

In the Midst of Fear... Worship

And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering7 Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. (1 Ch 21:26–27 ESV)

IN THE MIDST of fear… worship!

This was a crisis.  The Angel of the Lord was killing people right and left.  The result of David’s sins, the Angel was terrifyingly present, and physically destroying Israelites. 

At the very least, as hard as this story is to navigate, God was teaching two things.  Frist, God was showing the desperate need for someone ELSE to take God’s wrath, thus leading to the Christ.  Secondly, God was teaching of His love of mercy.  Even before David’s begging for relief, God had abandoned His plan to destroy.

David’s actions, though, are fantastic.  As the King (and others) stand before the dreadful angel with that terrible swift sword, David does not flee.  David does not try to attack.  David does not trot out some Philistines to be hit place of Israel.

Instead, David worships.  Right there in front of the ravaging angel.  Right there in danger.  Right there where the terror was most present.   David worships.

The particular form of worship centered around Awe, repentance, and humility.  He calls on the name of the Lord (a formal phrase, usually) and offers Biblically defined and prescribed ceremonial sacrifices.

David Worships.

Perhaps we find it easier to praise God for His help after the dust settles.  But David shows us otherwise.  Perhaps we find it convenient to praise God at particular times, and catch up with our praising then.  But David Shows us otherwise.  Perhaps we pause to praise when we happen to remember what God has done.  But David shows us otherwise.

Incidentally, Jesus did this on the cross, too…

In the midst of fear, worship.

Fear Not... Then Think About Home

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, (II Chronicles 5:1,2 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Think About Home

Some friends and I were camping on the east coast.  On the last night, after a pleasant week of board-walking, wild horse observing, and campfire sitting, a storm hit us.  We were a few dozen yards from the Atlantic Ocean, and the wind and rain were relentless.

Our tent leaked both top and bottom.  The wind rattled the poles and stretched the cords.  Our flashlights ran out of power, yet the lightning made it seem almost like daytime.

But it was the last night.  And that enabled us to endure.  We knew that in the morning we would pack up and drive west… and come home.

A bit wet, a bit bedraggled, and a bit exhausted.  But we would be home.

Paul knew storms, too.  Hunger, persecution, unpopularity, sin’s effects and more.  He was beaten for his faith, run out of town for his preaching, and mistrusted by both Jew and Greek.

Perhaps because he made tents for a living, he knew that tenting often involves suffering.  And perhaps he had in mind that hope that travelers and campers experience when they discover or remember that soon they would be home.

Whatever storm is raging around your tent, think about your true home.  Whatever structural damage is besetting your tent, think about your heavenly home.  Whatever terrifying troubles prove your tent to be insignificant, remember your heavenly fortress.

Fear not, then think about home.

Fear Not... Then Look Around

We couldn’t be more sure of ourselves in this—that you, written by Christ himself for God, are our letter of recommendation. We wouldn’t think of writing this kind of letter about ourselves. Only God can write such a letter. (I Corinthians 3:4,5 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Look Around

A few months ago I was removing some old tile from part of a stairway.  My tile-removing skill level is only average.  It is a tedious and exhausting job… especially when done without the proper tools!

I was kind of embarrassed while I did this work.  It felt like I was not making progress.  It seemed like the job was never going to be finished.  I was confident that someone else was going to have to complete what I had started.

And then I stood up and looked around.

Almost all of the tile had been removed!  And the floor looked pretty good!

My low expectations had altered my perceptions.  I was actually a fairly effective tile-remover!

Paul encourages the Corinthians along this same line.

We know that Paul lacked confidence.  We know that Paul, while often outspoken and clear-speaking, did not trust his own abilities to persuade, to teach, or to convert.

But then he looks around, and sees that the Corinthian church was flourishing.  And while not bragging, he acknowledged that their lives showed that Paul’s work was effective.

Perhaps we feel ineffective at times.  Perhaps we do not see how God could be using US.  Perhaps we allow our eyes to focus on our poorly chosen words, or our misguided actions.  Perhaps we are afraid that we are useless to God.

But you are used by God, too.

I pray that God will let you have a vision for the good effect you have had on others.  I pray that you will have the true humility to apprehend that God uses your words, your facial expression, your actions, and your presence to encourage, enlighten, and challenge His people around you.

I know this, because otherwise He would not have put you there.

Fear not, then look around.

Fear Not... Then Choose Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Choose Wisdom

I do not have one of those smart house electronic things.  I do not want one, but at times I understand the attraction.  When your house is equipped, it becomes so easy to know what to do!

“House Computer, when should I plant my asparagus?”… “Next Tuesday, at 7 am.”

“House Computer, should I repair my car, or purchase a new one?”… “Purchase a new one, in fact, purchase a Ford.”

“House Computer, where should we go out to eat?”… “You should stay home, your food budget is overspent.”

When looking for wisdom, we have something better.  We have God.

Wisdom is not a mysterious, unnatural, experienced-based attribute.

Wisdom is simply choosing to do things God’s way.

So James’ instruction is sort of ironic.

Do you want wisdom?  Then ask God for it!  And in the very asking you are being wise!

It is like the Scarecrow asking for a brain.  It is like the Tin Man asking for a heart.  It is like the Cowardly Lion asking for courage.  It is even like Dorothy asking to go home.

Fear not, then choose wisdom.

Fear Not... Then Praise Loudly

And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. (Luke 1:54 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Praise Loudly

Zechariah had been silenced by God for nearly nine months.  Zechariah had not merely lost his cell phone, or lost facebook, or lost wi-fi.  Zechariah lost the ability to speak.

And when his voice was restored, his response was profound.

Perhaps this criticism is more general than personal, but last year when the restraints on our activities were lifted, what was our reaction?  When we’ve been ill or shut-in for an extended time, and eventually are freed, what was our reaction?  When our besetting troubles almost overwhelmed us, but then a solution blossomed, what was our reaction?

We probably smiled.  We probably went out to eat.  We probably hugged, and laughed, and acted goofy.

But did we praise God?  Was our gratitude to God, like Zechariah’s, loud, irrepressible, and obvious?

The first thing Zechariah did was not comment on the upcoming camel races.  He did not complain about the silly things he had heard while silenced.  He did not tell a few jokes, recount anecdotes, or express devotion to his family, friends, or community.

Those things probably came later.

But first, Zechariah blessed the Lord!

When we are on the other side of our fears, troubles, and pains… what is the first thing out of our mouths?

Fear not, then loudly praise the Lord.

Fear Not... Then Sabbath

I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live. Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. (Ezekiel 20:11-12 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Sabbath

Things certainly seem like they are going downhill.  When watching the news, or reading headlines, it is easy to slide down the slippery slope from observation and concern, to worry and fear.

But rather than blame those folks on the other side of the aisle, perhaps it is our own fault.

In Ezekiel 20, God describes how He has dealt with His people.  It describes how God observes (and hates) the disobedience and stubbornness of the Israelites.  And then, came repeated mercy.  Even though the slope continued downward, God chose mercy.  Even though He sent descriptions and warnings, God chose mercy.  Even though they proved they were not caring or listening, God chose mercy.

And in the midst of (and after) the mercy, God yearned for His people to Sabbath.  Three times in the rest of that chapter, God particularly grieves their ignorance regarding the Sabbath. 

But put your thinking caps on for a moment.  Remember this phrase from verse 11? God declares that those who follow God’s laws, including the Sabbath, will live.  That word, live, does not simply mean be alive.  It means to have abundant life, full life, grand life, good life.

If our society and civilization is not so abundant, not so full, not so grand, not so good, perhaps a glance at God’s words in Ezekiel 20 can give us a nudge.  Perhaps, even though we cringe today at the idea, God is yearning for His people to honor the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day.

This is not a legalistic concept.  But honoring the Lord’s Day might actually have something to do with whether our lives are good. 

Maybe we need a focus on corporate worship, a day of rest from our labors, and the idea that that this particular day is not really just another day to fit in what our schedule has been too busy to include.

Maybe when we realize God’s mercy towards us, we can answer His yearning.

Fear not, then Sabbath.

Fear Not... Then Forgive

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. (II Corinthians 2:10, 11 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Forgive

I drink a lot of Diet Coke.  One friend recently challenged me about this.  He pointed out that caffeine, weird non-sugars, and carbonation are not ideal for my body.

I still drink Diet Coke.

But I appreciated his willingness to point out something I was doing that was, in his mind, dangerous.

Even worse than caffeine, weird non-sugars, and carbonation is our unwillingness to forgive others.

We have legions of reasons to not forgive, of course.  When someone hurts, offends, or wrongs us we yearn for justice.  The idea of forgiving too early is associated with being a doormat.  Forgiveness is often seen as a part of justice, and so we withhold forgiveness until we observe repentance, change, or deep remorse.

So when we notice someone not forgiving, we are understanding.  When we notice someone not forgiving, we do not challenge them.  When we notice someone not forgiving, we credit them with standing fast, teaching true repentance, or defending the truth.

But notice that Paul forgives.  He has had conflict in the church in Corinth, and probably has a few reasons to hold a few grudges.  He understands motivations and sees those who are opposing the gospel as worth opposing themselves.

But whatever had happened in Corinth… Paul forgave.

But the point here is not simply urging is to be more forgiving.  The point is actually to urge others to forgive.  That is why Paul is bringing this issue up.

Rather than understand, accept, and encourage the lack of forgiveness he sees around him, Paul wants us to urge others to forgive.

Because not forgiving is dangerous.

When we notice a friend or family member, a Christian brother or sister, justifying a lack of forgiveness, follow Paul’s example.  Urge them to forgive.

The lack of forgiveness, however justified it seems, leads to selfishness, hatred, and fear.

Fear not, then forgive.

Fear Not... Then Be Ready

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Ready

Cell phones have ruined the joy of waiting.  In the good old days, travelers would tell us, “we will arrive some time in the afternoon!” And we would prepare.

We would set up the guest room.  We would prepare a post-travel snack.  We would clear our schedule.   And we would wait.  Perhaps from 12:01 pm until 6:00 pm.  Some time in the afternoon could be nearly ANY time! And it was exciting to wait!

But a big part of the excitement, was the preparation.

We needed to be ready.  Not merely at a particular time, but our preparation involved a wide window of options.  We were not simply ready at an exact moment, such as modern cell phones provide… but we were ready more generally.  We were ready more broadly.  We were ready for a much longer period of time.

Jesus’ words here make many folk think of the End Times.  But His comments were broader than that.  He was referring to each of our ends.  He was referring to each of our entrance into His marriage celebration.  He was referring to each of our entrance finally, fully, and fanatically into His Kingdom.

Yes, that might be in some sort of End Time event.  But it also could be your personal end.  It also could be your personal time of upheaval when you encounter or re-encounter the Savior. 

And those things could happen any time.  In fact, they happen a lot.

Be ready.  Not because you are expecting an encounter at a particular time.  But because you know that an encounter IS coming.  You ARE about to encounter Jesus again soon.  Whether in crisis, or the crisis of death, or the ultimate death of sin’s world at the end of time… He is coming soon.

Being ready combats fear.

Being ready makes fear unnecessary.

Being ready makes fear insignificant.

Fear not, then be ready.

Fear Not... Then Dance

And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart. (I Chronicles 15:29 ESV)

Fear Not… and Dance

In the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, one episode ends with a moving scene in which the parents, Hal and Lois, dance.  In each other’s eyes, the two dance glamorously and skillfully.  They twirl around the living room, eyes bright, bodies in sync, filled with winder.

Then the camera view changes, and we see Hal and Lois as they really are.  Two disheveled, exhausted, clumsy middle-aged folk barely able to keep rhythm.  The only wonder from this view is how they stay on their feet.

But they were not dancing for the camera.  They were dancing for each other’s eyes, and THAT dance is the true dance.  They did not care one bit what we thought of their ability, emotion, or presentation.  They danced most honestly for each other’s eyes.

Poor Michal could not see David’s dance as it really was.  David danced in worship of His amazing God.  He danced gloriously for the glory of the presence of God returned to God’s people.  He danced beautifully in response to the beauty of God’s goodness.  David danced without restraint, because his awe and wonder were without restraint.

He danced for One set of eyes.

You dance, too.  Even if your ‘dance’ is manifested in a facial expression instead of fancy footwork, dance because He is worth it.  Even if you ‘dance’ is speaking with fanaticism and enthusiasm for what Jesus does in your life, dance because He deserves it.  Even if your ‘dance’ is unabashed obedience to the One true Living God, dance because He loves it when you dance.

Even if your Michals laugh.  Who cares?

Fear not, then dance.

Fear Not... Then Try Obedience

And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations. (I Chronicles 14:16,17 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Try Obedience

King David had great fame.  The rest of the known world feared him.

But why?

Some might assume it was because of his shepherding skills, transferred to the army.  Some might think it was his strategic mind, learned in his years hiding from King Saul.  Some might think it was the super ninja skills of David’s Mighty Men. (I Chronicles 11:10-47 ESV) Some might think it was because of the timing of international intrigues and power vacuums. 

But we read here that David had success for one reason.

He did what God commanded him.

Not simply in military terms, but David loved to obey the Lord.  And the Lord blessed David for it.

Of course, David was not perfect.  But even his two big recorded disobedient acts (Bathsheba and counting the army) had the direct result of David losing the blessing of fame and reputation.

If you fear failure, try obedience.  If your reputation is floundering, try obedience.  If you, like David, desire to serve the Lord, try obedience.

Not to earn heaven, of course.  But because it makes God smile.

Fear not, then try obedience.

Fear Not... Then Understand

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:3 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Understand

Understanding is comfortable.  Whether it is our car, economics, or our bodies, understanding is better than confusion.  Whether it is our spouse, our job, or our schedule, understanding is better than guessing.  Whether it is quantum physics, time travel, or black holes… well, think how much better it would be if we had understanding instead of theories!

This verse gives us hope when we do not understand something important.  God’s word, watered by faith, allows us to understand the oldest mystery: creation itself.

No one saw creation happen.  We humans have tried to figure it out by analysis of data.  We humans have tried to figure it out by proposing theories.  We humans have tried to figure it out by imagination, guesswork, and reason.

But understanding in this case comes through faith.

This verse is not important, though, just because it steps into the Creation debate.  It is important because it gives us a concrete example of how to approach other things that we cannot seem to understand. 

Things like guilt.  Things like grace.  Things like love.  Things like order and chaos.  Things like responsibility.  Things like hope.  Things like forgiveness.  Things like the future as well as the far distant past.

Fear not, then understand.

Fear Not... It Has Already Happened

For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. (Micah 1:3 ESV)

Fear Not… It Has Already Happened

Imagine that you found in a drawer a threatening letter from your bank.  The letter warned that if you did not make an adjustment to your mortgage schedule, your home ownership would be in doubt.  At first, your eyes would widen, your heartrate increase, and your worry quotient go through the roof.

Then you’d remember that the letter was an old one… and that the matter had been resolved years ago.

When we read Micah speak of God’s impending wrath, we might become frightened.  The Lord treading (stomping on) the high places of the earth sounds terrifying!  Our eyes might widen, our heartrate increase, and our worry quotient skyrocket.

But we would be foolish to fear.

Because this event has already happened.

We might think of the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon as a fulfillment of this threat from Micah.  But that is not really what Micah was prophesying. 

There was no greater wrath-pouring than the wrath that was poured on Christ Jesus on the cross.

There was no higher high-place than the King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Son of God being wrath-stomped by God as Christ Jesus died.

God has no wrath left with which to stomp His people.  He stomped Jesus instead!

Whatever anger God rightly could have focused on you and me, He focused on Christ Jesus instead.

Micah’s foretelling of destruction was completely carried out as Christ Jesus suffered, died, and was sacrificed. 

Fear not, it has already happened.

Fear Not... Then Enjoy the Fish

And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17 ESV)

Fear Not... Then Enjoy the Fish

Getting swallowed by a great fish would not be an enjoyable activity.  Without context of this story, we might be worried about ole Jonah.  A fish belly would not be a pleasant place to spend three days and three nights.

But Jonah’s context actually makes the belly look much better!

Jonah was drowning.  The sailors had thrown him overboard, and Jonah was sinking.  Before they tossed him in the ocean, it seems that the whole experience of God’s wrath had led them, somehow to faith! (Jonah 1:16) But Jonah was in a hopeless, impossible situation.

The fish was not more tragedy, it was the hope of salvation.

Our troubles can often be just like Jonah’s fish.  Financial ruin saves us from pride.  Illness saves us from self-sufficiency.  Relationship issues drive us to reconciliation.  And all of those things, like Jonah’s, drive us to the Messiah.

For Jonah, it was the Messiah-yet-to-be.  For us, it is the Messiah of yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

And anything that drives us to Jesus is grand!  Even if it hurts.

Fear not, then enjoy the fish.

Fear Not... Then See Your Blessings

All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:3 The Message)

Fear Not… Then See Your Blessing

SPOILER ALERT

Stage Magicians are not magic.  It might LOOK like magic, SOUND like magic, TASTE like magic, and APPEAR to be magic.

But there is a reason we call their performances Magic Tricks. 

While we might think less of Stage Magicians for this, we should not.   Whether they mean to or not, they are imitating God.  He, too, usually uses Natural Means, not Supernatural Means when He works in the world.

He often heals through our immune system, and medicine.  He often provides through employment and investment.  In fact, He often loves through our hands, our mouths, and our hearts.

And God tells Abraham that God will be blessing all the families of the world through His people.

He blesses all the families of the world through you.

When you are feeling worthless and valueless, open your eyes a little wider. 

When you are aware of your failures and embarrassments, widen your perspective.

When you are wondering if it is worth trying, know that it is.

God IS blessing someone, something, or somewhere through you.

Fear not, then see your blessing.

Fear Not... Then Mind Your Boundaries

When Shem was 100 years old, he fathered Arpachshad two years after the flood. (Genesis 11:10 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Mind your Boundaries

In one of Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry movies, Harry profoundly utters, “A man’s gotta know his limitations.”  And Shem knew it, too.

The world after the flood was an intimidating place.  All the old landmasses had changed.  All the old civilization had sunk.  All the old ways were condemned, erased, and forgotten.  Shem, and his family, all had to start over.  And two years after the flood, Shem named a son Arpachshad, which means, “boundaries.”

The flood was the result of mankind ignoring God’s boundaries, particularly the worship and moral kind.  As Shem began to take part in the new world, perhaps he named his son in a way that would remind everyone of the importance of accepting God’s limits.

Shem’s line eventually led to the Messiah.  A few hiccoughs along the way might have caused his descendants, and those around them, to grow concerned about the state of things.

We could also have those concerns today.

But Arpachshad reminds us of the blueprint for society.  God’s instructions, God’s stated desires, God’s expectations are all necessary limitations. 

Not only is it ‘safer’ inside of God’s boundaries, it is the best place to be.

Fear not, then mind your boundaries.

Fear Not... Then Obey

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Obey

Benedict Arnold was a skillful general.  And if you read his letters and journals, you might conclude that he was also a humble man.  He wrote glowingly of people like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Ethan Allen. 

But he switched sides in the middle of the Revolutionary War because of pride.  His pride was not displayed in his words, on his face, or through his correspondence.  His pride was apparent because he was unwilling to obey someone else.

He disagreed with his superior officers.  And eventually, he could not humble himself enough to obey.  And today his name is synonymous with traitor.

Paul notes that Jesus’ humility was displayed in His willingness to obey His superior.  Even when He was commanded to die.  That is a MUCH harder command to obey than, “attack on the left flank first!”  But Jesus was humble.  He obeyed.

God’s commands do not always make sense to us.  Dishonesty seems prudent at times.  Opening a business on the Day of Rest makes financial sense.  Loving enemies is… ridiculous.

But before God, (and we are ALWAYS before God…) humble obedience is the path to satisfaction, honor, and joy. Whatever valleys you walk through, whatever troubles assail you, whatever fears lurk…

Fear not, then obey.

Fear Not... Then Progress

Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. (I Chronicles 3:3,4 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Progress

Robert Burns, Scottish Poet extraordinaire, wrote, “The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglay.”  Once we understand the last phrase to mean, “go oft astray,” we can nod our head in agreement.  How often our plans fail to work out as we intend!

And this might make us afraid to plan, to decide, or to map out the future.

But King David understood the importance of planning.  He wanted progress, and he wanted it now.

David did not just want progress, though.  He wanted the progress that mattered most.  He was not concerned with accumulating more wealth.  He did not have his eyes fixed on the goal of fame.  He had not planned to form the most powerful and influential nation in the Middle East.

He planned to increase his (and the Israelites’) relationship with God.

So soon after David was crowned, he planned to bring the sign of God’s presence, the Ark of the Covenant, back to prominence. 

That is progress: more presence of God.  That is progress: more knowledge of God.  That is progress: more relationship with God.  That is progress: more God in our lives.

Our plans will gang aglay if our primary goals are selfish, humanistic, or national.

But yearn for the presence of the One True God in our lives?  That is progress!  Look daily for ways to think more about Jesus, talk more about Jesus, do more with Jesus? That is progress!  Start our day with the intention of, like the ark, seeing God’s hand in every situation?  That is progress!  Measure our day not through financial totals, popularity comparisons, or examining our feelings… but instead by how much we sought, noticed, and glorified Jesus… THAT is progress.

Fear not, then progress.

Fear Not... Then Glorify God

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)

Fear Not… Then Glorify God

With so much freedom, we could call modern times the Age of Decisions.  And this might seem intimidating.  But it does not have to be that way.

Paul wrote these words in the context of a debate in the Corinthian church about whether food offered to idols in sacrifice became unholy.  Apparently, it was quite an argument.  No doubt the debaters applied logic, emotion, experience, and knowledge to support their case.

Paul says it was not as complicated as it seemed.

If the Corinthians were eating that food in a way that made others more impressed with God than they were before, eating was fine.  If they were eating that food in a way that made others want to know more about Jesus, eating was fine.  If they were eating that food in a way that made others trust in God more, eating was fine.

But if they were eating to show themselves righteous, eating was bad.  If they were eating to impress someone else, eating was bad.  If they were eating to bring themselves peace, or hope, or joy, eating was bad.

And that same test applies to every decision we make.  Is your goal helping someone else see God more fully?  Does the action you are about to take introduce someone else to the wonder of Christ Jesus?  Does your decision have less to do with you, and more to do with our Savior?

Then do not worry, you are probably on the right path.

Fear not, then glorify God.

Fear Not... Then Use the Enemy's Weapons

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a Mighty Man from Kabzeel with many exploits to his credit: he killed two famous Moabites; he climbed down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day; and he killed an Egyptian, a giant seven and a half feet tall. The Egyptian had a spear like a ship’s boom but Benaiah went at him with a mere club, tore the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with it. (I Chronicles 11:22-23 The Message)

Fear Not.. Then Use the Enemy’s Weapons

God’s people do not fight physical giants today.  Today, our giants are of a different sort.  We face media empires intent on discrediting the church.  We face over-reaching governments intent on removing God from our choices.  We face an entrenched education system intent on deriding the very existence of God.  We face the common acceptance of common sin.  We face the physical effects of unrighteousness displayed in deteriorating immune systems, spreading illnesses, and exhaustion.  We face a level of spiritual warfare that our community does not even acknowledge, let alone fight.

Benaiah stood in front of a giant.  And in the moment of battle, he knew his club was not sufficient… even wielded by his skills and toned by his experience.

He chose to use, instead, the enemy’s weapon.  A spear big enough to hold a ship’s sail.  A terrifying tool that he was untrained to use.  A weapon out of his control as the gigantic giant himself.

And that weapon felled the giant.

We do not fight giants these days.  Beings like Goliath and the Egyptian giant are gone.  But our enemies are no less terrible.

Without avoiding any unrighteous activities, perhaps it is time to reach for the giant’s spear.

God’s enemies today effectively wield education as a weapon.  Atheists and agnostics have infiltrated our education system and have used it to discredit God’s Word.  We wield against it our small schools, home schools, and independent study.  And those are good ‘clubs.’  But perhaps it is time to take back the spear of the university.

God’s enemies today effectively wield the news media as a weapon.  Humanism and Statism are woven into the stories of today’s news like weeds and have all but choked out HIS story.  We wield against it our small study groups, conversations, and internet sites.  And those are good ‘clubs.’  But perhaps it is time to take back the spear of the media.

The gospel, of course, will triumph.  But this story makes me think…

Fear not, then use our enemies’ weapons.