Mary Adams (18 Dec 2004)
"Fear Not"
Fear Not....
Like so many others, I have my times of anxiousness and fear. All of us have. Even the Apostle Paul confessed, "For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears." When describing Mt. Sinai: "So terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake."
Many people sit in frozen silence at the thoughts of things that might happen, as though they have already arrived. Lives are spent in the pursuit of personal goals and achievements, yet fear of failure and dread of losing, eats away the joy of contentment. Some have lost their enthusiasm for life itself and sit awaiting death's knock on the door, their only activity-- surfing the waves of fear.
The wonderful story of Jesus brings to the forefront the knowledge that God is intimately involved with His creation. Skeptics, agnostics dismiss this thought, but those who truly believe there is a God, will naturally quake and fear at His overpowering presence.
Joseph, Zacharias, Mary, the Shepherds were visibly shaken as powerful revelations came from heaven to touch the lives of these earthly, ordinary people. But it wasn't easy to accept that fact--it really never is. Over and over again--whether brave or weak; the natural response was one of fear. Knowing this, the angels of God dealt first with that fact by speaking two words:"Fear not".
"Fear not"coming from above seemed to supernaturally prepare a heart to receive. Is it any wonder, then, that Jesus later used those two words so often throughout His earthly ministry?
Yesterday I had to go to the hospital to get a check-up with my doctor. A nurse took my blood pressure and asked the same questions I have answered so many times: what illnesses have you had? how many surgeries? So when I reply that I am now recovering from my fourth cancer in twenty-five years, they immediately look at me startled; Four? One perhaps...but four? "How, then, can you look so well?" And then I have a chance to answer with the only explanation I have: Because of how the words of Jesus dealt with my fears.
Healing is perhaps one of the easiest things God could ever do...just the hem of His garment, when touched, healed. His saliva and dirt made the blind to see. His voice called forth the dead out of the grave. His commands touched the cells of bones and caused withered hands to become unshriveled. Oozing blood was quenched. The paralyzed leaped. For wherever Jesus was--virtue was always there as well. He was virtue. And He was touched "with the feelings of our infirmities."
Can I see "virtue?" No...but then again, neither can I see Jesus. But there is a point to be made here: I can feel what happens when I hear and respond in my spirit to those re-assuring words, "Fear Not." To believe He is actually with me is all I would ever need in this life. It is a turning away from my weak human frailties and simply trusting in those words....for they speak more than just a disarming of my thoughts; they make it possible for me touch a realm humans can only enter as those Words are remembered and embraced. It is the trigger that releases the bullet in the weapon of faith.
How simple it really is; fear not. "Fear Not, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of the world." And whenever I am reminded of them and believe He has seen my inner turmoil, it is a comfort that lets me know I am spiritually tied to my Maker in a way that cannot be explained; only experienced and accepted. He is the great I AM, and I am His, simply because of His love for me. Is there anything more in life more profound than that?
Psalm 46: 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.....
My world today is so unlike the one I knew as a child. Who would have ever thought there would come a time when Joy to the World would be forbidden; when any mention of Jesus would bring on a lawsuit; when a clamor for the extermination of God from our precious heritage would bring about the removal of the Ten Commandments? It is a sad time in our history; wars and rumors of wars; upheavals and frightening events. "Men's hearts failing them for fear of the things coming upon the earth." Yet I still return to those two words that have brought me faith in the midst of every storm: "Fear Not." Even in the one swirling about us this Christmas season...
The scriptures ask: "When the Son of man returns, shall He find faith on the earth?" Right now, as you sit reading this little article that came to me this morning, listen for those Words out of heaven's throne room: Fear not. They were not just for shepherds--they are also for you and I. Cut through your thoughts to focus on them for yourself and for your loved ones. Did I write this because I have nothing to do? No. It is a message for myself as well, and I gladly share it with you. For today, I too must cast down the imaginations of my mind that torment my peace and simply trust the absolute knowledge of His love and care for me. I will pray to my Heavenly Father in Jesus' name. His promise is to hear me and involve Himself in those petitions. I will not fear what sickness and disease threatens my life. I will not fear the things coming on the earth. I will not fear even my fears, for He helps us. How do I know this?
Because "perfect love casteth out fear", and there can be no more perfect love than the One who is love itself.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) Come...let us adore Him!
MARY E. ADAMS meamin@mtaonline.net
Salvation
www.cybertime.net/~ajgood/sal.htm
Bible www.blueletterbible.org