FEAR

FEARS
By: Tim Nadeau (New Mexico, U.S.A.)

Job 5:8-27 (NRSV)"As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause. He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He takes the wise in their own craftiness; and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night. But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth. "How happy is the one whom God reproves; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands heal. He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no harm shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the wild animals of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the wild animals shall be at peace with you. You shall know that your tent is safe, you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. You shall know that your descendants will be many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season. See, we have searched this out; it is true. Hear, and know it for yourself."

You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.- Romans 8:15 (NRSV)

MY wife had gone out to gather the eggs from our chickens. I followed soon afterwards, but my wife was nowhere to be seen or heard. I called her name and got no response. The chicken coop door was open so I peeked in. My wife wascrouched down next to a nest of eggs. To her left, a bull snake lay coiled. Although it was non-poisonous and non-threatening, it appeared as if it were. She would not move because she feared the snake. Fear is a powerful force that can prevent us from doing anything. Those who have experienced the crippling effects of psychological fear know that"paralyzed with fear" is not just an expression. Such fear can prevent us from accomplishing even the simplest task. When we rely on ourselves and then fail, this self-reliance promotes fear. In addition, feelings that the Lord is distant or unconcerned with our situation can cause a reaction of panic and fear. In contrast, God's love and assurances can remove our fear. When we trust and lean on God, earthly concerns are crowded out. David wrote, "I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Ps. 23:4,niv). Many times in scripture God promises never to leave or forsake us. We can have peace instead of fear if we trust God's word to us.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31, NIV)--