FEAR

I Was Just Thinking About – FEAR.

Yesterday, March 14^th, Rush Limbaugh did a radio monologue on the subject: “The Crisis Mentality." He said: “We have to face it. We’ve made everybody afraid of everything. We literally have instilled a crisis mentality and a fear culture throughout our country. Our current culture has managed to make people afraid of everything except, of course, the one thing they should really fear, and that is runaway, rampant, radical socialism, communism…that’s what ought to make people afraid. One hundred million people have been killed by radical, socialist regimes and governments in the history of the world.”

Amid the Great Depression and in his first Presidential Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation and said: ”This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, 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. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.”

It seems strange to think of God’s people and fear in the same sentence but Biblical Christians are besieged and immobilized by inner fears. If fear becomes one’s reality, what should be the immediate spiritual reflex or response. At the very least, one should remember and rely upon: (1) the sovereignty of God; (2) the presence of God; (3) the power of God; and (4) the promises of God; and (5) where one is positionally, secure in the hand of God. I like to think of some of the words written by Charles Wesley in the Hymn, Arise, My Soul, Arise. Some of the lyric reminds one: “Arise, my soul, arise, shake off your guilty fears: the bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears…He ever lives above, for me to intercede, his all-redeeming love, his precious blood to plead…”

There are also the precious promises of God to His people, such as: Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Also, Isaiah 43:1-5: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you…I am the LORD your God…Fear not, for I am with you.” There is this reminder in II Corinthians 1:18-20, “But as surely as God is faithful…all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him, our ‘Amen’ (so be it) is spoken to the glory of God.”

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

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