Fear

The great promises of God are found throughout Scripture from the Old Testament to the New. And…so many of the promises are found in the beautiful poetry of the psalms. Today’s psalm promises that we are friends with God.

Can you imagine what would be going through your mind if you knew those persecuting the church would soon arrive in your city? No doubt your heart and mind would be filled with anxiety. You would be fearful for yourself, but even more so for your spouse and children. So, Peter wrote two letters to help those facing difficult times to focus their minds on wholesome (pure, unsullied, and sincere) thoughts.

Fear God. Scripture uses that phrase (or similar phrases like “the fear of the Lord”) three hundred times. It sounds a bit ominous, doesn’t it? How do I approach One I am to fear? Can I truly love a person I am afraid of? How do living in fear of God and loving God mesh? And how do grace and fear fit together?

So, when we read in Scripture that we should live in fear of the Lord, it means that we are to live in awe and respect for our heavenly Father, who demonstrated his great love to us by sending his Son to die for our sins. We live in awe of his love, his greatness, and his power. 

Have you seen the risen Savior in your darkened world? He is there! Follow him in the resurrection of new life!

As God’s child, my sins are paid for by Jesus, the Spirit of sonship lives in me, and I can call (this is unbelievable) the Creator of the Universe, “Daddy, Father”!

Do you need protection from an enemy that continues to pursue? Do you need shelter from a storm that is pelting you with anxiety and fear? God is Yahweh Tsuri—The Lord my Rock. You can find all you need in him.

What do you need to surrender to God, your Master?

You can trust him with your life, along with all your issues and concerns.