Terror or Trust?

Are you afraid today?  There are enough reasons for fear in this turbulent world, as well in our individual lives, IF we choose to focus on them. Russia’s dictator bragged of the readiness of his nuclear forces and threatened the West with destruction yesterday.  Our own government is a mess of dysfunction, unable or unwilling to address even the basics of budgeting and immigration.  Much closer to home, many of us struggle with health, or marriages that are broken, or children who have difficulties making their way in the world. And then, too, inside our own heads we hear the whispers of insecurity wondering if we are ‘enough.’

Christian, God promises peace IF we will accept His way, His love, and learn to live in faith.  So, what will we choose today - terror or trust?  Here is what I know - when fear owns our emotions, we never make the best choices. We become reactionary, sometimes angry, and self-defeating!  The 14^th chapter of the Exodus is a great teaching moment for those who are afraid. 

Through the miracles of His mighty hand, God had delivered the Israelite people out of Egypt. They were joyous over their new-found freedom, ready for the journey to Canaan, their home, God’s Promised Land. Then this happened. "When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites were not planning to return to Egypt after three days, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all these slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh called out his troops and led the chase in his chariot." (Exodus 14:5-6, NLT) "As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the Lord for help." (Exodus 14:10, NLT)    

Let’s not make little of their crisis! There was an army behind them and the sea in front of them. But, somehow in spite of all the miracles they had witnessed over the previous year or two, those people quickly turned on Moses with angry accusations. “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? Why did you make us leave? Didn’t we tell you to leave us alone while we were still in Egypt? Our Egyptian slavery was far better than dying out here in the wilderness!” (Exodus 14:11-12, NLT)  The Scripture says that they cried out to the LORD, too, but their cry was not born out faith, it was a wail of terror.

God spoke to Moses and told him to face forward, to expect to be delivered, to move on in faith. He took that Word to the people. “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV)  We often read that last line as one of comfort, but the Hebrew text has the context of rebuke. The phrase in Hebrew is an obscure one that can include the meaning of steadiness, of forward focus, like a man plowing a field! The Message picks up that context translating the verse this way: “God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!”

When we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis, when we are full of fear, one of the most difficult choices we can make is shut up and keep moving forward in faith. The very source of our strength, hope, and wisdom is the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit, but He is often drowned out by the panic, the wailing of fear.

We know the rest of that story. God opened a way for them through the sea and then closed the waters over the army of Egypt and the threat was gone.

This principle of quiet faith and patience waiting on God’s will and deliverance is one repeated often in the story of God’s people.  “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Samuel 12:16, NIV)  

David, the shepherd King of Israel, lived through many crises. His song says-
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." (Psalm 37:7, NIV)

Terror or trust, it is a choice that we who live in the Spirit can make. Will we?
God invites us to go steady on, to keep plowing the field!

Here is a word from the Word. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11, NIV)

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(Video of this blog at this link)

Goodness Of God

I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God

All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a father
I've known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God

Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me

With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me

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