Dave’s Monday Blast – April 13, 2020

Concerning the “Plague of Fear” that has so many bent under the burden of stress, Jeff Myers, President of Summit Ministries, comments: “Adam and Eve had it easy. No shame, no fear, no intimidation. They must have been like little children, excitedly chattering about their discoveries and making God smile. In a fallen world, however, fear and dread lie just below the surface. Times of crisis heave us unto uncertainty. We feel we are victims of our circumstances. We see no way out.”

Fear is a strong emotion that surfaces when we become aware of potential danger. Dread is fear on steroids…an extreme uneasiness in the face of pain, uncertainty, and evil. Fear and dread are like armed robbers, forcing us to empty our emotional bank accounts while staring down the barrel of impending doom. But, it does not need to be this way for those who are children of the Most High God.

All truth is revealed in the Word of God, the Bible. God reveals there that we need not ever “live in fear.” The Psalmist David wrote, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3). God, in the Bible, doesn’t tell us to run from difficulty. He tells us what to do with it.

What exactly does that mean?

1. Fear paralyzes: The Word of God admonishes us to bless others with encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
2. Fear hoards: The Word of God gives us the courage to share of our time, talents and treasures (Ephesians 4:28).
3. Fear unsettles our fortunes and our future. The Word of God provides us with the wisdom to “understand the time in which we are living…and know what to do about it.” (1 Chronicles 12:32).
4. Fear resigns itself to fate: The Word of God gives the reason for our hope which is found in Christ (1 Peter 3:15).

Especially during trying times, it is not the depth of the problems we face but the quality of the nurturing we give and receive that keeps us strong in our faith. Your challenge this week my brothers is to commit His Word to your heart (Psalms 119:11). You have some very specific scriptures in the text above; INTENTIONALLY hide them in your heart!