02/22/2017
I was reading my devotional this morning and read something that set me back. As I thought about it, I realized that it was true... what I read was a statement regarding man's fear that God might fail. Oswald Chambers said it in this way:
"The greatest fear of man is not that he will be damned, but that Jesus Christ will be worsted, that the things He stood for - love and justice and forgiveness and kindness among men - will not win out in the end; the things He stands for will look like will-o'-the-wisps."
This is the fear of those who don't know our God in all His greatness, but this fear which exists in mankind gives them a way of justifying their ungodly actions. As for the faithful, we see God in all of His omnipotence and not only cling, but bond with His Word in that regard. We hear God speak in His Holy Word and know it as truth.
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
Psalms 46:10-11 KJV
There is no fear of failure in us because we see and hear God in all His power. We doubt not and hold Him above all.
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
Revelation 19:6 KJV
We also know the end of the story. We read Revelation and raise our hands as Jesus reconciles us, His bride, to Himself and God, and we shout in joy and praise as the New Jerusalem comes...
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:2-4 KJV
No more crying, death, pain, or sorrow, these things which mankind fears will fall away. The victory of God is complete. In this I hear the words of Isaiah as he prophesies regarding the strength and infallibility of God...
“For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
Isaiah 14:27 ESV
And...
“Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?"”
Isaiah 43:13 ESV
The fear of mankind that Chambers spoke of, that Jesus might fail, is foolishness. It is a lie of the dark one who seeks to distract us from the truth and rob us of our salvation and the glory of God. The Word of God assures us that we will place Christ and the will of God before even our own lives, and Satan will be defeated and cast down.
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
Revelation 12:10-11 ESV
So we should not fear. The goodness of God and the love He has for us will not fail and we will live with Him forever; basking in His glory and praising His name. To this truth we should bond ourselves and never be separated.
Prayer:
Father, I call out your name when fear beckons, and you answer in the rush of the wind. You protect me always and I place you before my own life, that your glory shall reign omnipotent and I will be with you always. You are the heart of my existence and have redeemed me for yourself through Jesus Christ, your Son. I will not be mislead by the fear that Satan sows but reside in your love and strength forever... knowing through your Word the beginning from the end, and proving through my knowledge therein... the lie that is in Lucifer's mouth. Lord, you are the victor in all things and for all time and beyond. I pray that my voice be heard in heaven as I sing out my praise to you and the New Jerusalem descends in your final victory.
Rich Forbes