Fear Not... Then Trust Christ's Victory

God has restored the Pride of Jacob, the Pride of Israel. (Nahum 2:2 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Trust Christ’s Victory

When we listen to modern news today, it is easy to be discouraged.  Bad news on the doorstep… Christ’s name seems to be trampled underfoot more than lifted on high.  Not only has public righteousness faltered, but any desire for righteousness is almost non-existent. 

But Nahum wrote what the result of Christ’s life, death, and life would be.  The people of God (in Old Testament terms, Jacob and Israel… in New Testament terms, the Church) have been restored to God’s side.

That is the pride of which Nahum speaks.

As the people of Jerusalem, even with their many faults, were restored to their home after their exile, the church, even with her many faults, was restored to God’s favor.  And we, even with our sins, have been restored to the Father, too.

It is not something that is in our future.  Christ already did it.

We might think that His victory is hard to see, today.  But it is truly right in front of our eyes, beside our ears, and in our hearts. 

It is really not the Media’s fault.  It is really not the Education System’s fault.  It is really not Satan’s fault.  It is really not the OTHER political party’s fault.

It is our fault.  We choose to believe the announcements of the Christ and His Church’s demise instead of listening to Nahum, and the other 65 books of the Bible, ALL of which proclaim Christ’s Victory!

We let our senses detect troubles rather than cling to His solution.  We let our senses see darkness rather than be constantly aware of His Light.  We fear, rather than rejoice in His victory over sin, rebellion, and sorrow.

Fear not, then trust Christ’s victory.

Fear Not... Then Embrace Change

Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.   (Genesis 25:1,2 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Embrace Change

Abraham and Sarah were a couple, from way back in the Abram and Sarai days.  They were together for decades.  They stuck together through danger, disappointment, and delight.

When Sarah died, Abraham might have desired to remain single.  God had already kept His promise of a child… remarrying is a complex pleasure at any age, let alone Abraham’s 140 years.  I could imagine Abraham resisting another family… holding onto the past blessings… and saying, “what was should always remain.”

But Abraham married Keturah.  We do not know their love story.  We do not know where they met, how the met, or even what their reasons for marriage were.

But we can see the results.  Six more children.  Six more paths to starlike numbers.  Six more foundations for offspring like the sand on a beach. 

Abraham’s willingness to change does not mean that all change is automatically good.  But often we are so comfortable with God’s past blessings that we seem unwilling to expect and enjoy more.

Fear not, then embrace change.

Fear Not... Then Use God's Tools

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (II Corinthians 10:3,4 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Use God’s Tools

I worked at a small electro-plating factory.  Our boss believed that while our goal WAS to produce quality products, we needed to produce using righteous methods.

Who would have thought that electro-plating had righteous methods?

But it did.  Competing factories used shortcuts in purchasing chemicals, production line standards, and employee relationships.  Those competing factories could often enter a lower bid than our factory.  But our boss stood firm.

He taught me that results are not the only measuring stick of a ‘good’ company.  Methodology matters, too.  Righteous methodology is not always easy to determine, let alone manifest.  But careful Biblical thinking will lead us to honesty in purchasing resources, doing all things to the best of our ability, and loving relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees.

Paul was not primarily writing about electro-plating factories.  But he was pointing out that living as Christians involves more than being Biblically goal-oriented.  We have the opportunity to also be Biblically process-oriented.

Satan’s tools often produce successful results.  Lying can give us what we want.  Spreading rumors can make us momentarily popular.  Shaving time off hourly work can give us rest and relaxation.  But those aren’t God’s tools.

Honesty might hurt financially, but God enjoys our honesty.  Speaking only lovely things might not be always fun, but God enjoys our careful use of words.  Working as we’re paid to work might make us tired, but God enjoys our honest stewardship of minutes, as well as hours.

Cutting corners and taking shortcuts are usually the result of fear.  We fear unsatisfactory results more than we desire to honor God.  We fear financial difficulty more than we desire to honor God.  We fear gaining an odd reputation more than we desire to honor God.

But honoring God abolishes the need for those fears.

Fear not, then use God’s tools.

Fear Not... Then No Secrets

No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open. (Luke 8:16, 17 The Message)

Fear Not… Then No Secrets

As a Boy Scout Honor Guard at Fort Mackinac, I packed a lot of delightful treats.  My duffle bag was filled with home made cookies, venison jerky, tasty potato chips, and succulent fruit.  And less healthy more exciting things like hard candy, candy bars, and fudge.  I divvied it out according to my schedule… having decided exactly what treats to eat after lights out.

I also packed comic books to read, magic tricks to practice, and small fossils to analyze.  Not knowing most of the other Scouts, I prepared to fill all of my free time with personal fun activities.

On the last day, I made a friend.  My age, this guy liked all the same things I did.  We discovered our connection as I was cleaning up the remains of my stash.  He saw some of my wrappers and blinked his eyes.  Like mine, these were some of his favorite foods, hobbies, and time-wasters.

We were both a little sad… but I was mostly disappointed in myself.  I had wealth, but instead of spreading good things, I kept them to myself.  I had joy-producers, but instead of spreading that joy, I kept it to myself.  I had relationship-builders, but I kept them as my own.

This is what James is talking about, regarding our best treasure.  We were given the light of our salvation so that others can find illumination.  We were given eternal life so that others can leave death’s grip.  We were given the Way so that others can become unlost.

It is interesting, and hopeful, that James doesn’t command us to show our lights.  He nearly assumes we just are.  Just like no one, he says, hides a candle at night, we do not hide our heavenly gifts.

Is he right?

Many years ago, as a youth group silly activity, we staged a fake trial in which we had to provide evidence from our lives that we were Christ’s people.  We found we had a lot of lights hidden under beds.

Why are we light-hiders?  Maybe we tire of negative social reaction.  Maybe we are nervous about preachy conversations.  Maybe we do not like to make waves.  Or maybe, underlying all of these, we have forgotten how wonderful the light has been for us, in the dark.

Fear not, then no secrets.

Fear Not... Then Get Personal

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10b ESV)

FEAR NOT… THEN GET PERSONAL

Simon Peter was afraid because Jesus had just given him more fish than he had likely ever caught.  He suddenly knew, practically, that this Jesus was more than merely a wise teacher.  He was the Son of God.

And I do not really know what went through Peter’s mind.  Maybe he was intimated by the wealth that increased fishing would bring him.  Maybe he was worried that he might say something stupid, or act thoughtlessly, or even publicly deny that this really WAS the Messiah.  Maybe he was overwhelmed with an awareness of exactly Who stood next to Peter.

But Jesus put it in perspective.  Jesus had not been born in Bethlehem to impress Peter’s customers.  Jesus had not left heaven, and gotten his holy feet dirty on the Judean roads to make it into the Guinness Book of Records.  Jesus had not chosen Peter and the twelve to make sure their names would be written on some historical plaque. 

Jesus came to save lives, for eternity.

If Peter was going to be afraid, maybe that would be a reason.  Souls are more important than Perch.  Souls are more important than cheers.  Souls are more important than headlines.

Whatever we find ourselves daily doing for the Kingdom of God, in the Kingdom of God, as the Kingdom of God, do not be distracted by the fish.  By the amazing coincidences Jesus enacts.  By the surprising wonders He shines at us.

Instead, it is all about people.

Fear not, then get personal.

Fear Not... By Not Blaming God

O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! (Micah 6:3 ESV)

Fear Not… By Not Blaming God

When my guitar strings start to regularly go out of tune, I display an attitude much like the people that God is speaking to through Micah.  I blame something else.  I blame my out-of-tune strings on the weather, on poor craftmanship, on the effects of Adam’s Sin, and I might even suspect some vandal’s sneaky turning of the tuning keys while I was away.

But the strings usually go out of tune because I did not clean them, keep them tuned, or replace them at the right time.

And Micah’s audience was blaming God for the troubles in their lives.  Because He is in charge, right?

But their economic woes were due to their breaking of God’s commandments.

The decay of their families was due to their breaking of God’s commandments.

The enemies ready to gather at their gates where there because God’s people had broken God’s commandments.

Yet this story is not primarily in the Bible to drive us to try harder to obey.  Micah speaks to urge his listeners to take responsibility, yes… but more importantly to lovingly turn to God again, knowing that we need His grace and mercy.

If our help is on our shoulders, we’ll still be in trouble tomorrow.  But if our help is in the hands of the Lord, then our hope is real.

When I ask, now, what actions we have done to cause our troubles, I ask for the same reason.  Know your troubles, know your cause… and turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Fear not, then do not blame God.

Fear Not... Then Listen

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” (Genesis 22:1 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Listen

What does it mean to listen? Our star quarterback thought he had a great idea.  From his perspective, he thought a long pass to our sticky-fingered receiver would win the game.  In the huddle, he cajoled, argued, and almost shouted.  We had only a few moments before the play needed to begin, so I just said, “Nope… short fake pass and run the ball yourself.”

“You aren’t listening!” he uttered.

And I smiled.  Because I understood what he meant.  But he actually had it backwards.  He, like many of us, misunderstand what it means to listen.  We think it means to agree with what we hear… and no, I did not agree.  We think it means understanding the brilliance of the words… and no, I didn’t see the light.  We think it means to be persuaded… and no, I was not.

Because in that moment, I knew more than the quarterback did.  I had been watching the defense’s patterns.  And I was sure that there would be no defenders right where our receiver would be trying to catch the ball.

There were a lot of nuances of listening on the field that day.  But the quarterback truly did not listen to me.  At least not in the way that Abraham did.

Abraham did not check his schedule before saying, “here I am.”  Abraham did not evaluate the probable success of God’s proposed action before Abraham obeyed.  Abraham did not argue, cajole, or beg… he just said, “here I am.”

And he did what God asked of him.

The story centers around God’s strange command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son.  I wonder if I would have listened like Abraham, or non-listened like my quarterback.

The story’s key moment is when God observes, “HE feared not because he chose to LISTEN first. Now I know how fearlessly you fear God.”  (Genesis 22:12 The Message)

Fear not, then listen.

Fear Not... Then Stick to Scripture

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. (I Timothy 4:7 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Stick to Scripture

He seemed so very, very smart.  He had the look of a super-chess player, and I was losing an important chess game.  I had a choice to make… and one onlooker stage-whispered a suggestion. 

His idea was obviously unwise.  It went against every standard principle of chess-play.  But… what if… just maybe… I would receive accolades and cheers if it worked!

I ran through the primary well-known chess concepts.  His idea broke them all.  But… what if… just maybe… I would look AMAZING if it worked! 

So, I did it.  I moved my knight over there, instead of moving my pawn where it needed to go.

And I lost the game.  Amidst snickers, rolled eyes, and the awful scratch of chalk on the leader-board scratching out my name.

In the midst of crises, when our situation seems dire or at least important, we are often tempted to listen to the whisperers.  Selfish motivation crowds out Christ’s commands to love.  Severe insecurities outweigh God’s claims of sovereignty.  Well-educated political commentators seem louder than Jesus’ claim of Kingship.

Do not listen to those silly myths.

Fear not, then stick to scripture.

Fear Not... Then Pray

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, (I Timothy 2:1-3 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Pray

I was recently reading a novel about young King Arthur.  In the middle of an exciting dramatic moment, Arthur sought counsel from three friends concerning three difficult decisions.  Arthur was deciding about military strategy, about romance, and about his future.  The first advice he received from his friends in all three areas was: pray.

It surprised me because folk today do not pray like that.  We pray as a last resort.  Or we pray out of panic.  Or we pray when the crisis is done.

But Arthur’s friends tell him simply to pray.

I wonder if the novel’s author had this verse in mind.  Rather than begin by complaining about unjust government, first pray.  Rather than plot and plan to create success in our lives, first pray.  Rather than come into the arena of social interaction with both fists swinging, first pray.

Paul says this pleases God.  I’d like to please God…

Fear not, then pray.

Fear Not... Then Be a Loer

“On that great day,” God says,

                “I will round up all the hurt and homeless,

                everyone I have bruised or banished.

                I will transform the battered into a company of the elite.

                I will make a strong nation out of the long lost,

                A showcase exhibit of God’s rule in action,

                as I rule from Mount Zion, from here to eternity. (Micah 4:6,7 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Be a Loser

We try so hard to win.  It is a part of our American Psyche.  Most of us are driven to win, to succeed, to accomplish great things, to be popular, to be winners.

But Micah paints a different goal.

Those who focus on living for Jesus often find themselves less concerned with winning.  The generosity of loving is usually sacrificial.  “Turning the other cheek” usually loses social position.  Living for Jesus usually effects our time-management, our social interactions, and our checkbook balances.

Maybe that is discouraging.  Maybe it leads to fear.

But Micah points out that God has plans for us losers.

We’re going to be on the winning side for eternity.  In fact, we already are.

Fear not, then be a loser.

Fear Not... Then Plant a Tree

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba and worshiped God there, praying to the Eternal God. Abraham lived in Philistine country for a long time. (Genesis 21:33, 34 The Message.)

Fear Not.. Then Plant a Tree

Abraham endured a lot of difficulties.  From God’s calling him to a second career, a nomad… through nearly constant political conflicts… and of course family problems, economic problems, military problems, and decades of waiting… Abraham did not have an easy life.

At one point in his story, he finally made peace with the king who was ruling exactly where Abraham knew God wanted Abe to live.  It appeared that Abraham was going to have to struggle to even plant a single root in the Promised Land.

But suddenly, inexplicably, God gave Abraham peace.  An unexpected treaty enabled the King and Abraham to co-exist.

And Abraham could relax. 

So Abraham planted a tamarisk tree.  This type of tree endured harsh weather, required little upkeep, and was tough.  And from then on, when Abraham passed that tree, He remembered God’s work in his life.

God enabled Abraham to endure the harshest circumstances.  God gave Abraham the nourishment he needed.  God gave Abraham strength, protection, and backbone.

We should plant trees like that.  Maybe an evergreen to remind us that God’s blessings never dry up.  Maybe a maple tree to remind us that life in Jesus is sweet.  Maybe a hedge apple tree to remind us that God is tougher than ANY of our problems.

Fear not, then plant a tree.

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.