BBD 03.18.03 Facing Fear - Absolute Faith
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
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03.18.03
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 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. It 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 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." 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 wand 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
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. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
on a non-profit basis with source credited.
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