Facing Fear
He who flees from the terror shall fall into the pit. (Jeremiah 48:44)
Jer. 48:44; Amos 5:19; Prov. 29:25; I John 4:18
What Is God Saying?
The verse we hear today from God as a prelude to our speaking with God originates in a prophetic utterance by Jeremiah. He is launching a tirade against Moab, one of Lot's sons. Moab and his descendants rejected the God of Israel, instead choosing a rival god named Chemosh as their god-protector. There was perpetual enmity between the neighboring communities of Israel and the Moabites, and Jeremiah foretells the doom of any nation that exalts itself against Jehovah. This verse touches upon a lesson we must learn: if we run away from what frightens us, we will only run into greater trouble.
How Does This Apply To Us?
We need not dread what fear can do to us because we are sure of what Christ can do through us. When fear knocks at the door, and faith goes to answer it, the caller will flee. Fear has no place to hide when faith floods the room with light. The Christian may be and should be equipped with ‘the whole armor of God so he can withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand.’ (Eph. 6:13)
As Ephesians 6 states, the whole armor of God does not include a single piece to cover the back. Thus, we should never flee when terror comes, or things get rough. We are to stand our ground, and we can do it with the ever-available strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember this: when we stand against evil, the Lord stands beside us, and Satan flees from us.
Pray With Me
Since I stand and conquer in the strength of Jesus Christ, O God, help me always to shun the folly and danger of yielding to fear. Help me face fear without dreading what it can do to me since I may calmly rely upon what Christ can do through me. Armed for the conflict with the invincible weapons of faith and love, may I go on to face all my fears this day.
May I not flee from the fear of the future since I am in the loving care of the Creator of all things. May I not flee from the fear of what others can do to me since I know to love my enemies, and that perfect love casts out fear. May I not flee from the fear of what my deceitful heart can do to me since that heart belongs to Christ. May I not flee from the unsettled accounts of yesterday since I may be fully assured that,
‘My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the Cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul.’
May I not flee from my duties and responsibilities, though they seem heavier than my shoulders can bear. Accepting Jesus' yoke means He is helping me far more than I am helping Him. Through Him, I can do and bear all things. By Your grace and on Your promises, O God, I will not fall into the pit of discouragement and defeat but trust that You will lift me to the high, strong rock of vision, and I will walk in joy.
Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
Read James 4:7-8. Notice this as we come to prayer. Resist the devil, and he will flee. Draw near to God, and He will draw near you. In prayer, we have no reason to flee. We only have to draw near God, and He will draw near us. Have this always before you when you pray.
