I can’t believe how long it has been since I have written a blog! I guess I have many excuses. Ministry, still working on my third book and the never-ending work of owning an old home and property, but it all seems a little lame when I look at these excuses! It really comes down to feeling I have written all I can about my life and workings of God in it, the reason I started writing a blog in the first place. After writing over 300 blogs and a testimonial book on the subject it seems redundant to sit and write more. I think by now anyone who has followed my story gets the point, Jesus can meet us right where we are and transform even the most despicable of lives. So, in prayer and thought I have wondered if I have anymore to say from this platform. The crazy thing is I still am not sure but one thing I know is that writing is how the Holy Spirit works in my life. Yikes, with all this said I have a few thoughts to share I pray they will be His words.
Ok, there has been a phrase that has been in my thoughts for days now. It seems everywhere I turn, no matter what I read or listen to. The phrase is “fear not”. This should seem like no big deal to those of you who are in the Word of God daily. This phrase in some form or another is in the Bible 365 times, one time for each day of the year. It is hard to read from any book in the Bible without stumbling across it. Still, when a phrase like this comes up in conversation and sermons ALONG with Bible readings I kind of get the idea that the Holy Spirit is trying to get my attention.
For most Christians even then this would not be that earth shattering. A basic truth espoused by ministers and Christian books alike is if we trust God, we have no reason to fear, right? Of course, one of the anthems of the Word, sermons and writings is summed up in this well used verse:
“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.” Isaiah 41:10
You may be thinking by now, “Man, this guy really doesn’t have a reason to be writing!” Hang on for just a bit because there is something here that is if not earth shattering, is worth the read. Here is what the Holy Spirit has brought to my attention. There is a deeper reason why in God’s Word that this phrase comes up time and time again, most of us live our life in desperate fear.
It makes no difference if you have been a card-carrying Christian since birth or are a confirmed God hater, fear is more than likely one of the main themes of your life. You don’t believe me. Ok, let’s take an honest look. Think of a day when you never had a fearful thought. No worries about money, health, or just the nasty world we live in. Can you honestly do it? If so congrats! I cannot and neither could most of the humans in the Bible. Why else would God have to remind us so often not to be fearful? Truth time, fear is one of Satan’s favorite and easiest weapon to use, because we all were born with a flaw, it is called sin.
There was a time when I would have cried foul at this idea, being born into sin. Even if I had believed the Adam and Eve story, which I didn’t at the time, I think I would have said it just aint fair. Still, all I would have had to do was take an honest look at my life at the time and see that for some reason I was living in total fear. From the time I was a child afraid of the boogie-man under the bed to the jumbled life of fear as an addict. I was a mess and because I did not know Jesus did not understand, to me it was just the way it was. You live, you die, in between you run for your life.
Today, as I have stated, I still have fear in my life but there is a huge difference. It goes back to that verse from Isaiah where we see God’s response to fear and not only fear but to sin. There is a reason why I really do not need to fear and it is so cool. When you believe and you know the truth THEN you no longer need to be fearful or dismayed. God, the creator of the universe, will strengthen you and He will take you into His hand. A hand so righteous that even our terrible fears, our most awful sins can be washed away.
It comes down to this God’s Word is His plan of saving power and all of it culminates in Jesus, the one who lived life without fear and here is what he said about the cure for our lives filled with fear,
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Stop and ruminate on this verse for a bit. Jesus knew the human condition so well. He knew we walked through this place of trials laboring and drug down, loaded with fear. Again, like in Isaiah 41:10 God is offering us rest from all of it. As in Isaiah it is Jesus, the Word made flesh, reiterating the promise to uphold us in His righteousness. Take notice that there are no conditions here. Jesus does not say go get rid of all your junk and then come to me. No, He offers this freely. Our only job is to believe that He can do it.
That is the difference in my life today. I believe Jesus can do exactly what he says. I believe God’s Word when it says, “Fear not”. Is it that simple? Yes, it is and also that hard. Satan hates the idea of me living without fear. So, he continues to whisper to me about my life of sin, hoping I will hang on to the guilt and shame. Sometimes it still works. The fear returns. It is then I cry out to the One who offers to cover me in His righteousness and give me His rest. One by one I lay my burdens down, again. By God’s grace it has gotten easier knowing the door is always open and today I can tell you, “Fear not!” rest is a prayer away!
Blessings
John
7/26/2023
