February 12 – No Cause, No One to Fear

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom should I fear?  The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom should I dread?”  Psalm 27:1 (NASB)

 

What would you be willing to do or give up to be completely free of fear, dread, and worry in your life?  There are so many things that we fear. Physical conditions, financial situations, civil and political influences, and we could go on and on.  We would not run out of items to put on such a list. But we have a promise that we find in this Psalm of David and it is a promise that we can have fearless trust in God our Lord and Savior. Fear does not come from God although we are instructed to “fear God” because He is the only one and our fear of God is due to His awesome power and sovereignty over all things. But because we belong to God we need not fear anything else. The Lord shows us the way and we have been saved by the Son of God who sacrificed and gave himself up for us. Truly, there is nothing or no one left with power to frighten us.  God is our defense, we have no one left to dread. Let’s be aware that worry is how we exhibit dread in our life.  

195

 

September 1 –Being Silent to Hear

“Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.  Job 13:12-13 (ESV)

These words were spoken by Job to his so-called friends who were present to comfort Job but in all they actually caused him more dismay. For all they tried to do was to help, even with words that expressed God’s majesty, justice, and sovereignty; but they were clumsy at it and failed to apply their help correctly in Job’s life.  We all face pain and sorrow over loss of family friends, home and business.  In the example of Job’s life, why he had suffered so much loss and physical pain is difficult for us to understand now and certainly was then.  But Job actually wanted silence from them. Their words were doing nothing for Job.  Job intended to say his piece and face the consequences.  We tend to believe, like Job that we can help God resolve our circumstances by explaining ourselves.  Job will find out this is not so. Two verses later Job says, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him;” (Job 13:15)  Today our promise that is not so obvious. God promises to speak if we will be silent and stop arguing, complaining and justifying ourselves. God knows us, we’re to listen and learn.  

- 198 -

February 3 – Be Ready With Our Reason

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, - 1 Peter 3:14-16 (ESV)

Who looks forward to suffering?  No many of us I’m sure.  Our verse today, from the first letter written by the Apostle Peter, says “even if you should suffer.”  The real intent of Peter is to let us know that the ‘if’ is really a ‘when.’  Suffering is a real thing that every believer in Jesus should expect. Many have been taught by a false gospel to question God’s sovereignty when suffering comes.  Scriptures says we should expect it.  But we are promised blessings if we suffer for righteousness sake.  As we have learned, the word blessed also means ‘happy.’  Suffering, believe it or not, if it comes because we are standing and speaking for Jesus will bring us happiness.  That can be hard to accept because no one enjoys suffering. We are called to honor Christ the Lord in our hearts and look beyond and into our promised future.  We are instructed to be ready to defend why we believe Jesus and explain our reasons. And we are also instructed to do so with gentleness and respect.  Our promised blessing is ours when we do so.  Let’s be ready today to do so. 

# # #

June 27 – When Legions Stood Down

“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53 (ESV)

The setting of this verse is the Garden of Gethsemane just outside the walls of the City of Jerusalem.  Today, many structures have been built and many places have shrines but the night Jesus said these words, it was simply a garden at the base of the Mount of Olives.  Jesus is being arrested and one of his disciples takes up his sword to defend Jesus.  At that moment, Jesus says these words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.  They remind us of the wonderful love of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He could have avoided suffering and dying on the cross. Thousands of angels could have been called upon to set Him free. But because God promised a means of redemption, and Jesus was the only way to accomplish that.  Jesus went with the arresting officers and then to the cross to die for us.  Why? Because He so loved us He did what He came to do – He obeyed His purpose.  In return Jesus asks us to love him and show our love by obeying Him.  Today, let's stay close to him and lets again commit to love Him with our whole heart, mind, and might. 

March 13 – Strong Defense, No Dread Needed

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?” Psalm 27:1 (NASB)

In this verse, the psalmist, King David, makes statements about what God had done and what He was doing for him. He said that God was his light when he needed light. God was his salvation coming to rescue him when he needed that kind of help.  Let's think today about the third statement. David said the Lord was the defense (or stronghold) of his life. I hope we can all say the same thing. A stronghold is a place of defense – a place where we can be safe from trouble and threats. It is a place we can take a stand against forces that oppose us.  God is our stronghold in our lives spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. He is with us and He is strong. Trouble and crisis do come our way but we do not need to dread the outcome, God is our defense against all things, this He has promised.