December 18, 2018
Good Morning Fellow Travelers,
Read: 1 John 4:13-21, Revelation 21:6-8
“For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.” II Corinthians 7:5
We all experience those times when we are afraid. Fear comes in many forms and it may become a real hindrance to our faith and trust in God. It seems that life brings continuing reasons to fear, as our situations change.
For the younger, fear comes because of a lack of understanding. Children may fear the dark, or those whom they think are bad men. They grapple with scary dreams and awake in fear. Youth may fear responsibility or new experiences. Young men may fear the rising threat of war and the possibility of being called to service. Middle-aged folks may fear financial loss, or debilitating sickness. The elderly fear dependence on others, and increasing vulnerability. Ecclesiastes 12:5 speaks of the elderly as fearing high things, and things in the way.
Have you ever awoken at night in fear, because you could not move, or because the devil was attacking your faith in God? Have you tried to pray and could not? Have you laid trembling in overwhelming fear, wishing there were someone by you to hold your hand and pray for you, giving words of comfort?
You are not alone. These fearful times try us severely. We must remember that God does not want us to live in fear. He wants us to trust Him fully. We must exercise our faith at all times so we are not caught up in fear in troubling times. Trust God for everything, always.
I would like to help you to remember to trust with this little Bible lesson. There are two ways to trust God. The first brings us to heaven first class. Isaiah 12:2, “I will trust and not be afraid.” The second brings us there second class: Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” God wants us to trust Him before we are afraid.
– James Baer