When Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to the Presidency of the United States in 1932, his first inaugural address included these well-known words - “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” It was great rhetoric becoming part of our history, but was it true? Not really!
There were very real reasons for people to feel fearful – a broken economy, the growing threat of Nazism in Europe, the conflicts in Asia between Japan and China – for starters. In reading the text of his speech, we hear him acknowledge the real troubles of the nation and the world, however … the President knew that he needed to inspire hope, to stir people from their helplessness, to turn the country around - and he did. Whatever you may think of his policies and programs, Roosevelt’s ability to lead and inspire is unquestionably legendary.
Are you fearful? Fear is rampant in these United States in 2023. We are afraid of each other, of violence, most mistrust our government. Church leaders do not fare much better with nearly a third of Americans, especially those under the age of 30, convinced of corruption and/or hypocrisy. The constant drone of the news channels makes us feel powerless, turning every challenge into a potential apocalypse. With the rapid social change that is reshaping our society, many of us have allowed ourselves to be disconnected from larger social groups – church, extended family, community organizations - that could offer stability. This makes us even more vulnerable to anxiety and the resulting reactionary choices that are so destructive in the long-term.
It does little good to tell a person “Don’t be afraid!” Ah, right.
Fear is not simply erased. It is replaced, pushed out of our
thoughts by truth, by faith, by reason, and by hope.
David, the writer of the Psalm, declares: "The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger— so why should I tremble? … Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." (Psalm 27:1,14, NLT) See the refocus, the change of perspective in his song?
Jesus asks us to think with faith so we can defeat fear. “Dear
friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the
body; they cannot do any more to you. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God,
who has the power to kill people and then throw them into hell. “What is the
price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single
one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be
afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows."
(Luke 12:4-7, NLT) His words are stark,
arresting my attention – Fear God! Yet …
and then He reminds us of the heart of our Father – Who knows the plight of the
sparrow and counts the hairs of our head.
The way to push fear away is to build faith, to ask the Spirit of God for eyes to see the hand of the Father that holds us securely. We must not try to minimize the reality in which we live nor should ourselves to slip into the false peace of denial of the truth. There are very real issues to deal with - in your life and mine. I am still wrestling with some physical things that are as yet unknown in their impact, but I choose to renew my hope in the fact that God has my life in His hands – now and for eternity – so I can know peace. What are you struggling with? What robs you of sleep in the small hours of the morning when you awaken in the darkness? Take it to the Lord in prayer! Pray for faith to replace fear.
The word from the Word this day is a great Psalm, one I
suggest you commit to memory.
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely
in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your
innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like
the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and
wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or
fret about their wicked schemes." (Psalm 37:3-7, NLT)
That, dear friend, is God’s prescription for peace. Let’s live it!
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
I just want to speak the Name of Jesus
Over ev'ry heart and ev'ry mind
'Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
I just want to speak the Name of Jesus
'Til ev'ry dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus
('Cause) Your Name is power
Your Name is healing
Your Name is life
Break ev'ry stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire
I just want to speak the Name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To ev'ry soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus
Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over ev'ry enemy
Jesus for my fam'ly
I speak the holy Name Jesus
Abby Benton | Carlene Prince | Dustin Smith | Jesse Reeves | Kristen Dutton | Raina Pratt
© 2019 Here Be Lions Publishing; Integrity's Praise! Music; BEC Worship; Raina Pratt publishing designee; Worship Coalition Songs; WriterWrong Music
CCLI License # 810055
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