Saturday, October 10, 2009

Fear

People like to play with fear this month. They like to tickle that thing inside us all that makes us jump and yell with shock, revulsion, and terror. I personally think it's appalling.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. (Psalms 19:9)
God's people need to fear nothing, if they live a life that is marked by their godly fear. You see, it's a fear of One whose love for us is perfect, so it is unstained by hopelessness. It is a fear of One who is omnipotent, so it is unstained by helplessness. The fear of God is good and right because God is just; He is One Who can be trusted.

It saddens me to see God's people afraid to trust Him, as if He is just waiting to smash them with some huge trial, call them into service, or do something unbearable. What kind of God have you asked to save you from sin, Christian? Is He cruel and hard, like a villain in a bad October movie? No, He's the kind of Lord who can sustain us in a huge trial; He's worthy of our service; and He promises to provide an escape from the unbearable temptation.

It saddens me to see lost people afraid to trust Him to save them. None of the junk available on screen this month can compare with the wrath of God for sin.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)
The dirty, ugly fear offered by Hollywood this month can't compare to the amazing power, justice, and love of our Creator. When He saw that I was directly in the path of His deadly wrath, He became a man, and stepped in the way! He bore my sin for me, Offering this salvation as a free gift to be taken. Can I fear anything when He did this for me?

4 comments:

Mrs. Julie Fink said...

I agree with you about this whole Halloween fear thing. It's ridiculous! Hope all is going well with you.

redneck preacher said...

Yup, good post. I agree completely I think there is a balance we walk between fear and trust.

examples:
- I am afraid of rattlesnakes, but knowing God is with me I can crawl into a bush to kill one too close to my grandkids.
- I am afraid of what is happening to my country, but I know God is allowing the chastening for a purpose that is right.
- I am afraid of dentist, but I'll go if I have to and make sure I don't have any weapons on me. Does God love dentist? I think so but ...
- I am afraid of disappointing my Lord, my wife, my church, but that is only because I know me better than anyone else.

HTOITA

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great post and reminder to trust in God!

Rachel said...

Great post, Sarah. I agree...I hate Halloween! Like the new look of your blog!
~Rachel