WHY AM I AFRAID?

2 Kings 6:8-17

Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 2 Kings 6:16

Columnist George Cantor told how he dealt with a childhood fear. Almost every night he was awakened by something, and he imagined scary creatures lurking outside his room. Often he would be too scared to go back to sleep. Sometimes he would go and lie down by his parents’ bedroom door, figuring that as long as he was near them, nothing would hurt him.

That child’s need for some physical evidence of his parents’ presence reminds me of the young servant of Elisha who woke up early one morning and found that the Syrian army had surrounded the city. Alarmed and afraid, he cried out to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15).  After Elisha prayed, the Lord opened the young servant’s eyes. What he saw must have filled him with awe and wonder. What he saw must have filled him wth awe and wonder. The Bible says that “the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).

We too at times long for God to give us some kind of reassurance that He is near, and sometimes He does. But that’s the exception. He wants us to learn to trust His promise that He is with us. No matter how frightening the situation, God’s people always have more on their side than the enemy has on his. —mrdii

At times our fears may loom so large, we long for proof that God is near; it’s then our Father says to us, “Have faith, My child, and do not fear.” —djd

Faith sees things that are out of sight.

HE’s ALWAYS WATCHING

Psalm 34

The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 33:18

Marcie (not her real name) had broken up with her boyfriend, and now he was harassing her. He followed her, stared at her, and intimidated her in subtle ways. She avoided him as much as she could.

One place she could not escape his gaze was at football games, because she was a cheerleader. During one game, he stood at field level right in front of the cheerleading squad and stared at her as she did her routines. Her mom and stepdad, sitting in the stands, saw him there and realized that she was getting more and more afraid.

At  a break, she ran into the stands, her eyes filled with panic. “Do you see him over there?” she blurted out. “Yes, I do,” her stepdad said. “I’m watching, and I will not take my eyes off you.” Relieved that he saw what was going on and understood how she was feeling, Marcie calmed down and went back to her station.

One of the wonderful joys of being a believer in Jesus is knowning that our Father in heaven is always watching over us. The promise expressed by David in today’s psalm applies to us wherever we go. Whatever confronts us, the “eyes of the Lord” are on us and His ears “are open to [our] cry” (Psalm 34:15).

We are never out of God’s sight. —dave egner

How wonderful to know that He who watches from above will always keep us sheltered in His ever-present love. —king

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. —martin

GOD ABOVE THE STORM

Psalm 29

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Psalm 29:4

As a boy, I was fascinated by the sights and sounds of a storm. They always made me think of God. In the roar of the thunder, I imagined I was hearing His chariots rumbling through the sky. In the flashes of lightning, I felt a sense of awe mingled with fear and trust.

When I was a seminary student, my wife and I used to take a drive when we saw a storm approaching so that we could experience its wonder more vividly. I am less adventurous today,  but storms still make me think about God’s majesty and power.

Psalm 29 describes a violent storm as it sweeps in over the Mediterranean, swoops down the mountain ranges, rushes through the wilderness, and pours out its refreshing rain upon the land. Towering over the scene is God. The elements of the squall are described as the “voice of the Lord.”

The psalm closes by assuring us that the God who was in control when He sent the flood in judgment is also in control when the rain comes as a blessing. Through it all, He is working to give strength and peace to His people. The powerful, majestic God behind the storm has our eventual good in mind, and He will achieve His goal. Isn’t it comforting to know that this God loves and cares for us! —hvl

The lightning of a summer storm, it’s thunder roaring in reply, reveal to us an awesome God whose power we cannot deny. —sper

We experience peace —not panic— when we trust the power of God.

DIGGING FOR TREASURE

Proverbs 2:1-9

The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

Profitable Bible study involves more than just opening to a chapter and reading what’s there. Here are seven guidelines to help you make the most of your study of the Bible.

1. Set aside a regular time. Unless you schedule it, you’ll neglect it.

2. Before you start reading, ask God for help and understanding.

3. Carefully think about what you are reading. The treasures of the Bible seldom lie like pebbles on the surface. To mine the gold, you have to dig.

4. Try to understand what the author was saying to the first people who read the book or letter before you decide what it means for you.

5. Write down at least one truth or principle you can put into practice.

6. Try different translations of the Bible. If you find yourself skimming over familiar words, a new translation may focus your mind on the passage in a new way.

7. Don’t get discouraged. Some parts of the Bible are more interesting than others, and some you may not understand at all. But there’s enough that you can understand, and if you apply that much it will revolutionize your life.

Now read again today’s verses with the above principles in mind. Then try it again tomorrow. If you do, you will begin to discover the treasures of the Bible. —hwr

When reading God’s Word, take special care to find the rich treasures hidden there; give thought to each line, each precept clear, then practice it well with godly fear. —anon

The treasures of the Bible can be found only by those who dig for them.

A WINNER EITHER WAY

Philippians 1:15-26

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Lois had just undergone cancer surgery and was alone with her thoughts. She had faced death before, or so she thought, but it had always been the death of people she had loved — not her own.

Suddenly she realized that losing someone she loved was more threatening to her than the possibility of losing her own life. She wondered why. She remembered what she had asked herself before her operation, “Am I ready to die?” Her immediate answer had been, and still was, “Yes, I am. Christ is my Lord and Savior.”

With her readiness for death secure, she now needed to concentrate on living. Would it be in fear or in faith? Then God seemed to say, “I have saved you from eternal death. I want to save you from living in fear.” Isaiah 43:1 came to mind: “I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.”

Now Lois testifies, “Yes, I am His! That’s the reality that is more important than doctors telling me I have cancer.” And then she adds, “I win either way!”

Lois’ insight is a convinced echo Paul’s words in today’s text, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Let’s pray that those words may resonate in our hearts. That confidence makes us winners either way. —jey

Safe in the Lord, without a doubt, by virtue of the blood; for nothing can destroy the life that’s hid with Christ in God. —anon

We can really live when we’re ready to die.

“GUILTY!”

Luke 18:9-14

God, be merciful to me a sinner! Luke 18:13

The great “prince of preachers” Charles Haddon Spurgeon used to tell the story of a duke who boarded a gallery ship and went below to talk with the criminals manning the oars. He asked several of them what their offenses were. Almost every man claimed he was innocent, blaming someone else or accusing the judge of taking a bribe.

One young fellow, however, replied, “Sir, I deserve to be here. I stole some money. No one is at fault but me. I’m guilty.” Upon hearing this, the duke shouted, “You scoundrel, you! What are you doing here with all these honest men? Get out of their company at once!” The duke ordered that this prisoner be released. He was set free, while the rest were left to tug at the oars. The key to this prisoner’s freedom was his admission of guilt.

That’s also true in salvation. Until a person is willing to admit, “I am a sinner in need of salvation,” he cannot experience freedom from guilt and condemnation.

Have you ever said, “I plead guilty”? If not, do so right now. You can never save yourself, so receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior by placing your trust in Him. Then, once you are set free from sin’s guilt and power, you will know the joy of forgiveness and freedom. —rwd

Admitting that we’re guilty, acknowledging our sin, then trusting in Christ’s sacrifice will make us clean within. —sper

Sin brings fear: confession brings freedom.

GOOD QUESTION!

Acts 16:16-34

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:30-31

Finding the right questions is as crucial as finding the right answers,” says devotional writer Henri Nouwen. Yet how easy it is to run ahead of God’s Spirit as we talk to nonbelievers about Christ, giving pre-packaged answers before we listen to their questions.

This tendency was highlighted several years ago when someone scrawled the words “Christ is the answer!” on the side of a building. A cynical passerby added these words: “What is the question?”

Paul and Silas, thrown into prison for the gospel’s sake, provoked a deep spiritual question in the heart of their jailer. This wasn’t achieved, however, by preaching a three-point sermon at him. Instead, they prayed and sang hymns to God. When an earthquake opened the prison doors and broke their chains, the jailer tried to kill himself, fearing that he would be put to death if his prisoners escaped. But Paul and Silas stopped him by choosing to stay in prison for his sake. At this he cried out, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

Today, as then, the Spirit will create the right questions in people’s hearts and make them ready for the right answer — Jesus Christ. —jey

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love, tell of His power to forgive; others will trust Him if only you prove true, every moment of you live. —wilson

Christians worth their salt make others thirsty for the water of life.

SOUL SATISFACTION

John 4:1-14

There is none upon earth that I desire besides You. Psalm 73:25

Nineteenth-century preacher Frederick W. Robertson pastored a church Brighton, England. Although he was a greater pulpiteer, he was troubled by fear of failure. He suffered from painful physical ailments and died at 37.

In his loneliest times Robertson often found some consolation in the works of Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Coleridge. Yet even these great writers left him increasingly unsatisfied, prompting him to write, “I go into the country to feel God; dabble in chemistry to feel awe of Him; read the life of Christ to understand, love, and adore Him.” Robertson concluded with these words: “I turn with disgust from everything to Christ.”

God may spare us from Robertson’s emotional and bodily suffering. He may give us many fulfilling years so that we can say, “My cup runs over” (Psalm 23:5). But no matter what, we should increasingly identitify with those beautiful words of Bernard of Clairvaux who wrote in the 12th century:

Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts, Thou Fount of life, Thou Light of men, From the best bliss that earth imparts We turn unfilled to Thee again.

Yes, Christ alone is the Water that revives our parched spirit. He alone is the Bread that nourishes our hungry heart. He alone is the Truth that answers our mind’s deepest questionings.

Real soul satisfaction is found only in Christ. —vcg

Jesus the water of life quenches our soul’s thirst.

JESUS CALMS OUR FEARS

Matthew 14:22-27

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27

On Halloween night of 1938 people all over the world thought Martians were invading our nation, for they had heard Orson Welle’s radio adaptation of H.G. Well’s War of the Worlds. A woman from next door came over, wringing her hands; and my dad assured her it was only a radio program. He always calmed people’s fears.

But there is One greater who calms fears. Jesus calms them as He did for His disciples on the Sea of Galilee. In the midst of a storm, Jesus walked on the sea. His troubled disciples thought Jesus was a spirit and cried out in fear. Jesus immediately spoke to calm their fears: “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Even at this moment personal storms may threaten your tranquility – problems with health, job, family, friends, finances, even in the church. The One who calmed His disciples’ fears will speak peace to your troubled heart, for He is the Prince of peace.

Dear Father, I praise You for Your Son, Jesus, who calms my fears.

PEACE IN A WORLD OF TURMOIL

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When we look at the world news, our hearts tend to get frightened. So much unrest, violence, fear! Jesus predicted it would be this way. “In this world you will have trouble,” He said. “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

How can we as Christians make a difference in our world? Paul gives us some practical steps in Colossians 4:2: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1. Devote yourselves to prayer for your families, church leaders, and governments. Is there a friend or neighbor you could team up with for prayer on a weekly basis?

2 Being watchful–instead of looking at the problems, keep your eyes on Jesus. As long as Peter kept looking at the Lord Jesus, he walked on water. The moment he focused on the waves, he began to sink. Readjusting our focus may mean cutting back on news watching. Smile.

3. Be thankful for your blessings–for the things that are going right. Write them down in a gratitude journal. Pray them out loud in thanksgiving.

No matter what happens in the world, Jesus Christ is still the victorious One and Our Sovereign Lord. “I know that you can do all things,” says Job. “No plan of yours can be thwarted.” ( Job 42:2 )

Remembering this, we can have the peace Jesus spoke about.

What steps can you take to put your heart at ease about the future?