Quote from Forum Archives on March 17, 2011, 11:56 am

Posted by: edwrather <edwrather@...>

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Classic from 2003

03.17.11

Facing Fear - Absolute Faith

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous
right hand. - Isaiah 41:10.

Today (In 2003) there is another reason for fear, in addition to the
approach of war, and the increased likelihood of terrorism; health experts
suspect there is a new disease stalking humanity. The new disease is now
known only as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). At least ten people
have died from the illness, and many more are ill with symptoms of SARS.
With the rapidity of world travel, diseases can spread at frightening speed,
and SARS has struck with deadliness in mainland China, Hong Kong, Vietnam,
and Canada. Some are also ill with the disease in Singapore, and there are
suspected cases in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The
disease is similar to pneumonia, beginning with a high fever and dry cough,
which may lead to breathing difficulties.

Does God care when we experience fear? Yes! Reassurances from God are
plentiful throughout the Scriptures. Peter writes, "Therefore humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7)." But
the greatest statement of God's concern, and care for you, is found in the
sacrifice of His Son on the cross for your sins (John 3:16). You should
never doubt that God loves you, and cares for you. His direction to you in
the midst of fearful, and terrifying circumstances will always be, "Fear
not." Why? Because God answers, "I am with you."

I read just this morning about a missionary who was wounded in Yemen, and
his three fellow missionaries who were killed. The wounded missionary spoke
of the moment he knew he could not escape from the gunman. He knew he would
be shot, but he spoke of the peace that surrounded him, as he faced the
possibility of death. That peace stayed with him, even after being shot
twice, and he was still facing the possibility of death. David knew what it
was like to stare death in the face, as King Saul hunted him like an animal.
David writes, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil (Psalm 23:4a)." Why does David not fear death? Why does
he not fear evil, and all that could happen to him? "For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4b)."

I cannot imagine what it would be like to be living in Iraq at this moment
(In 2003), knowing that a massive assault will soon begin just as it did
during 1991. Knowing also, that it is being said the bombardment will be
more ferocious than it was before. The only thing I have to relate to
something like that is being in the path of a tornado. Hearing the tornado
sirens go off, and seeing on the radar that a tornado is headed for you, but
having nowhere to hide but in a closet has given me great fear. It is a
fearful thing, and only God can bring you peace and assurance during such
times. Only God provides the possibility of your being spared destruction.

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the golden image set
up by king Nebuchadnezzar, they faced death in a fiery furnace. The answer
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is the answer that we need to give, and
believe, whenever we face fear "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us
from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O
king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your
gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up (Daniel
3:17-18)." They had an absolute faith that no matter what happened, life or
death, they would still trust in their God. That is the faith we must have
as we face the fearful things of the 21st Century.

Copyright © 2003-2011. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush
website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email
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