Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, to test you, and you will suffer affliction for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev. 2:10.
Jesus says, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer." Why? Because "there is no fear in love....Perfect love drives out fear." And "we love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:18, 19, NIV).
Those who fear God have placed themselves in His control and do not let anybody else worry them. They have learned to trust Him in all situations, because He knows all circumstances. He permits nothing that wouldn't be for our good in the long run. And He allows nothing that we can't handle if we are in a relationship with Him.
Sometimes we get into situations that overwhelm us. But we still don't need to be afraid. Do you remember the story about the time I was snorkeling near Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef? I had injured my leg the week before and was getting a little tired. I decided to rest from my snorkeling by standing up occasionally and keeping my nose above the water while I rested. But as I carried out my plan I discovered that the water was not five-feet but seven-feet deep and that the shore was 400 yards away.
Realizing that I did not have the strength to make it back, I began to panic. Convinced that my life was over, I began to swallow ocean water. A rock suddenly appeared in the sand below, barely large enough to balance on. Then my wife swam over and was able to help me stay upright. Professional help arrived, and I was on my way safely toward shore.
The overwhelming thought in my mind as I reached the beach was that I must be alive for a purpose. God had a reason for me to go on living and had intervened to accomplish that. What is most pertinent to our text today is that the incident has taken away my fear. I know that God is in control of my existence. You could say that I am already on borrowed time, so I really don't need to be afraid anymore.
A year or so later I was strolling where tourists don’t often go--through a deserted Muslim section of the old city of Jerusalem. Some of my students saw me walking alone and hid around the corner. When I passed by they came roaring out and hollering as if they were going to kill me. I didn't know who they were, but I did not react. To my surprise and theirs, I was not afraid.
Now, I don't intend to be stupid and go places where I don't belong, but if God is in control of my life, I don't have to be afraid. If He is with me and it's time, then so be it. I don’t have to worry about when. Fear is no longer in control.
Lord, thank You for those times that I instinctively live by faith. Increase my faith.
Jesus says, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer." Why? Because "there is no fear in love....Perfect love drives out fear." And "we love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:18, 19, NIV).
Those who fear God have placed themselves in His control and do not let anybody else worry them. They have learned to trust Him in all situations, because He knows all circumstances. He permits nothing that wouldn't be for our good in the long run. And He allows nothing that we can't handle if we are in a relationship with Him.
Sometimes we get into situations that overwhelm us. But we still don't need to be afraid. Do you remember the story about the time I was snorkeling near Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef? I had injured my leg the week before and was getting a little tired. I decided to rest from my snorkeling by standing up occasionally and keeping my nose above the water while I rested. But as I carried out my plan I discovered that the water was not five-feet but seven-feet deep and that the shore was 400 yards away.
Realizing that I did not have the strength to make it back, I began to panic. Convinced that my life was over, I began to swallow ocean water. A rock suddenly appeared in the sand below, barely large enough to balance on. Then my wife swam over and was able to help me stay upright. Professional help arrived, and I was on my way safely toward shore.
The overwhelming thought in my mind as I reached the beach was that I must be alive for a purpose. God had a reason for me to go on living and had intervened to accomplish that. What is most pertinent to our text today is that the incident has taken away my fear. I know that God is in control of my existence. You could say that I am already on borrowed time, so I really don't need to be afraid anymore.
A year or so later I was strolling where tourists don’t often go--through a deserted Muslim section of the old city of Jerusalem. Some of my students saw me walking alone and hid around the corner. When I passed by they came roaring out and hollering as if they were going to kill me. I didn't know who they were, but I did not react. To my surprise and theirs, I was not afraid.
Now, I don't intend to be stupid and go places where I don't belong, but if God is in control of my life, I don't have to be afraid. If He is with me and it's time, then so be it. I don’t have to worry about when. Fear is no longer in control.
Lord, thank You for those times that I instinctively live by faith. Increase my faith.
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