Faith

150 Fear Nots

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Some of our dearest friends at times pooh-pooh our fears. They insist we are silly, unreasonable or wrong-headed by the things that make us lie awake at night. But did you know that in the Bible God takes our fears very seriously? In fact God lovingly and patiently tells us 150 times in the Bible. “Fear not!” – or in some translations – “Don’t be Afraid!” Rather than lecturing s about our fault God offers us a promise, a reminder and a solution.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

He has promised to be with us. He doesn’t tell us like the doctor, “Take three of these, drink lots of water and call me tomorrow.” No God promises to constantly remain at our side. He is there through the sleepless nights and He keeps us close especially when we are afraid. Then God reminds us that not only will He be with us but that He will strengthen us.  He isn’t simply hanging around. He will pour out on us the oil and wine of His presence when we have been wounded and carried us when we can’t go on. Last of all our God is a very practical God. When the apostle Peter tried walking out on the water toward Jesus we are told that he became afraid and started to sink. I am so glad that Jesus didn’t just stand there with his arms folded saying, “Come on Peter you can do it!”

No! We are told that as Peter began to sink Jesus immediately reached down and took his hand. I am so glad that on days when I feel I am sinking out of sight that His solution is not a lecture but a strong right hand that will hold me and help me to walk into this New Year with Him with all 150 “Fear Nots”!

 

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No Looking Back!

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Brothers I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 13-14

For those who have seen the classic film, “Chariots of Fire” one of the unforgettable scenes is of the race between Eric Liddell and Harold Abrams. They are side by side as the approach the finish line but then, Harold Abrams turns his head to see where Eric is and in that fateful second he loses by a stride. For us to run and win our race  we need to learn both how to remember and how to forget.

Forgetting what lies behind means not turning our head to look back at things that once called us in other directions. Thinking back to what might have been only keeps us from breaking through to what can still be. We don’t forget what God has done but we need to let go of the memories of our steps away from Him.

On that day Eric Liddell won his race because instead of looking back he remembered to look ahead, beyond the finish line. We are also in a race and across our finish line Jesus is standing and holding out the prize. Eternal life with Him is worth more than all the world can offer us today. With Him is peace and joy th

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at are greater than any fear, heartache or suffering in this world. We still have a long way to go to finish our race, but with God’s help we can run our race all the way home       to Him – without ever looking back!

 

Our Christmas Prayer

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This year what will our Christmas prayer be? Neither Mary nor Joseph had prayed for a son, and yet God’s Son was given them. The Wise men weren’t praying for a sign and yet a star was sent to bring them to the Wonderful Counselor.  Bethlehem’s shepherds were not asking for angel’s visits when they were startled from their sleep by the heavenly hosts glorifying God. The keeper of the inn had not asked for any honored guest and yet the Everlasting Father sent him the Prince of Peace to be born in his stable.

If God gave so much in this way, imagine what He might give us when we ask. Why not pray for Jesus to be seen by our neighbors through our lives this year? Why couldn’t Jesus bring healing to our racial and ethnic divide if we ask? How many more could fill our churches on Christmas morning if we would be willing to knock on their doors and invite them to our homes? Why couldn’t Jesus come again to forgotten people all around us and show His love and mercy. Will we ask to be a simple manger for Him in which He can lay His head?

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Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7