Saturday, August 25, 2012

It's the fear that gets us.

We all pray for God's will to be shown to us in the decisions of our life.  We want to know what God has for us to do.  Then, the time comes when He clearly reveals His plans for us.  We rejoice to see them, and go forward in His strength.
I have experienced this many times.  I have seen God's hand working in very different situations to provide for His children.  He has done this in my life!

Yet, too often I trip over a terrible reality.
I fear.  I fear that I am not doing what I should be doing.  I fear the opinions of others.  I fear making the wrong decision.  I fear wasting my life.  I fear.

Why do I fear so much?  Why am I doubting God's faithfulness?

The truth is that God will never lead me wrong.  If we are trusting in Him to provide the way, we can't fail.  He has promised His strength and grace for every step.
The feeling of fear is crippling.  When I choose to focus on my circumstances, present situation, people around us, etc., I fear the plan of God.

Do you fear God?  Or are you more afraid of people?

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
 and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."  Proverbs. 9:10

We begin to be wise when God is our fear.  We seek to honor and glorify Him over everything.  

The fear of God stands against our other fears.  

We look to Christ!  

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.  He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.  He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed."  1 Peter 2:21-24

He did not fear.  He trusted His Father's plan.  His was not the life of worry and fear, but of trust and obedience in God.  

Yes, He was God-incarnate, perfect in all things, but, as children of God, we are new creations, made alive in Christ, and filled with His Spirit!  Why should we fear? 


"The end of the matter; all has been heard.  
Fear God and keep His commandments, 
for this is the whole duty of man.  
For God will bring every deed into judgment, 
with every secret thing, whether good or evil."  
Ecc. 12:13-14