10/12/2021
In this age of discord, division, pandemic, and rampant sin in the earth, it is only human that a person dwelling in this place would be afraid, feel out of control, and believe themselves to be at the mercy of these circumstances, but as believers, Christians see the truth, and say “Fear not, and take heart!”. As Christians we are not to consider ourselves ruled by the happenings of this world, but are patient citizens of Heaven who await lovingly, with control over our fears, for the day when we will return to our Father’s Kingdom. If we live our earthly lives in fear, or by believing it has something to offer us, then we have been deceived, for all real love and power rests with our Father… not here in this fallen world.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
It’s so easy to get up in the morning, and as we look at ourselves in a mirror, think that this frail body is who we are, but it is not. We might recognize ourselves in this world by our hair, noses, arms, intelligence, and the other parts, and fruits, of these bodies we inhabit, but our true selves are a far cry from what we are able to see with our earthly eyes. This continuously aging frame is just a vessel into which our soul has been poured for a short while, but when it is gone our spirit, and soul, returns to God from whence they came.
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28 ESV
We might appear beautiful now, but in time we will wither; we might have a fine house, but one day it will fall down, go up in flame, or belong to someone else, and we might have more gold, and money than we can possibly spend, but one day it too will belong to others. If we put our faith in the things of this world we will find that it too will become fleeting, and simply another vanity. Our hope, peace, love, and self control are only made complete by the eternal grace of God through Jesus Christ.
“before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 12:6-8 ESV
What then is important, and what should we hold tight to? We are to look across, to the far side of this life, past the discord, division, pandemic, and rampant sin in the earth, towards our real, and eternal home… to God our Father, who awaits our return. When we see the futility of this place that we can mistakenly call home, we see that death has no sting, and we can ask ourselves “What then should I fear?”, and we can not only ask this question, but answer it as well… “fear only God.”
““I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”
Luke 12:4-5 ESV
In this way we are aliens in this world, and our peace will never be found here, but only in Christ. Listen to these words that Jesus spoke…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
So today let’s take control of our fear, and remove the hold that we have allowed the world to have on us. Let’s trust in God knowing that only He gives life, and that only He can take it away. Let’s realize that when our body shrivels, weakens, and dies, that our life continues on to face judgement before Jesus at the throne of God, and that if we have believed, forgiven others, remained righteous, and been faithful, then we will live on eternally, in peace and joy, forever in the presence of God who loves us.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your authority over all things, and for the love you have for us. We thank you Lord for the hope, peace, and joy that awaits us when we return home to be in your presence forevermore. We thank you for the confidence we have in your Word, and the absolute truth of your every promise. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who takes away the fear of the world, and gives us peace everlasting. Praised be your name for every blessing we receive, for they reassure us that you are our Father, our King, our God, and that there is nothing to fear in the world. Help us Father to find shelter in you, and realize that in your arms our lives are secured. Wash us clean in the blood of Christ, the new covenant, and find us worthy of living all eternity with you in your Kingdom… our home.
Rich Forbes