No Fear Here!
No Fear Here!
January 2021 Blog
“5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper.
She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It's OK--Jesus will be in there with you."
Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?”
(From Sermon Illustrations)
We smile or laugh at the above illustration. The imagination of a 5yr old conjuring up Jesus in the dark for comfort and help is charming. But, actually, it’s not a bad idea.
It must have been scary for Joshua, and the Israelite people, when their beloved and long-time leader Moses was approaching his last days and handing over the mantle of leadership to Joshua. In the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 31, Moses goes out and speaks to all the people. He tells them he’s 120 yrs old, and no longer able to lead them. He summons Joshua, and tells him, in everyone’s presence, “Be strong and courageous…The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you not forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (31:7,8)
They could have declared, “No fear here.”
Z88.3, a local radio station, has been making this statement lately. It is the same way my family and I feel, our church, and Dove Fellowship too, with whom we’re affiliated.
We will not fear the pandemic. We will not fear political unrest. We will not fear any of the many things that our society is struggling with right now! Why? Because we know God is with us. He never leaves or forsakes us.
In the New Testament, in Hebrews 13:5, the author tells us “He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” We can count on the promises of God. We can count on His Presence all the time, but especially when we’re scared.
We will experience fear. It’s part of the human experience. But we can fight our fears! We must fight our fears! Have you never noticed that along with fear often comes wild imaginings? What if… echoes throughout our minds when we allow ourselves to give in to fear. Of course the “what if’s” never come to pass. That’s why it’s best to eliminate them to begin with.
Jesus promised us His peace. In John 14:27 He said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Have peace, dear reader. Because … there’s no fear here!
January 2021 Blog
“5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper.
She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It's OK--Jesus will be in there with you."
Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?”
(From Sermon Illustrations)
We smile or laugh at the above illustration. The imagination of a 5yr old conjuring up Jesus in the dark for comfort and help is charming. But, actually, it’s not a bad idea.
It must have been scary for Joshua, and the Israelite people, when their beloved and long-time leader Moses was approaching his last days and handing over the mantle of leadership to Joshua. In the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 31, Moses goes out and speaks to all the people. He tells them he’s 120 yrs old, and no longer able to lead them. He summons Joshua, and tells him, in everyone’s presence, “Be strong and courageous…The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you not forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (31:7,8)
They could have declared, “No fear here.”
Z88.3, a local radio station, has been making this statement lately. It is the same way my family and I feel, our church, and Dove Fellowship too, with whom we’re affiliated.
We will not fear the pandemic. We will not fear political unrest. We will not fear any of the many things that our society is struggling with right now! Why? Because we know God is with us. He never leaves or forsakes us.
In the New Testament, in Hebrews 13:5, the author tells us “He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” We can count on the promises of God. We can count on His Presence all the time, but especially when we’re scared.
We will experience fear. It’s part of the human experience. But we can fight our fears! We must fight our fears! Have you never noticed that along with fear often comes wild imaginings? What if… echoes throughout our minds when we allow ourselves to give in to fear. Of course the “what if’s” never come to pass. That’s why it’s best to eliminate them to begin with.
Jesus promised us His peace. In John 14:27 He said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Have peace, dear reader. Because … there’s no fear here!
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