FEAR NOT – GOD IS IN CONTROL
- Carol Kwant
- Nov 11, 2008
FEAR NOT - GOD IS IN CONTROL
We all know that South Africans are leaving the country all the time - where ever you go people are talking about hi-jacking, robberies, murders and so on. 60% of the South Africans leaving have been involved in some sort of violent crime or other.
These bad things can cause fear, anger and insecurity, which will rob us of our peace and joy. People are struggling today!
Fear and anger can cause depression and all sorts of medical and psychological problems:- panic attacks, palpitations, insomnia, asthma, etc. A high percentage of doctor's visits today are stress and fear related. Doctors offer medication and others turn to alcohol, drugs and so on.... What does God have for us as Christians?
Promises in His Word!
A few years ago our house was broken into in Bromhof, I remember afterwards lying on my bed feeling scared, I did not want to live in fear, I had my Bible in front of me, I felt the Lord tell me to turn to Ps 34:7, the Bible says "the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear the Lord and He delivers them. I knew that it was a word for me as I did not know that verse at the time... I trust God for his angels to watch over me - the condition is that we fear God (respecting and honoring Him), so we don't mess about with sin. Then we entrust ourselves to Him for our care and keeping.....v9 Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. V10the lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.v19 a righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
We need to seek God when we are stressed and fearful. Ps.91:9-11 If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the Lord, who is my refuge-then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
God is never caught off guard! Rom 8:28 says and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. V31 what then shall we say in response to this, I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus our lord.
Our times are in God's hands -even the difficult times.
Ps 46 v1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea...v7 The Lord Almighty is with us...
2Cor 11:23-29 says Paul went through some tough times, he worked hard serving Christ, was imprisoned, was flogged severely, exposed to death again and again, five times received 40 lashes from the Jews, 3x beaten with rods, once stoned, 3x shipwrecked, in danger over and over, he felt weak and feared he would die - but he trusted God's grace and found it sufficient for him.
We need to remember that God is ever-present when we find ourselves in difficult times, and seek Him for His peace and presence.
It is not a place that will make us secure but God himself!
Acts 17:26-says that God determines the times set for us and the exact places where we should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.
God has our address! He knows where we are!
Take the pressure off yourselves to find somewhere secure - remember He put you where He wants you. Don't make a move unless God directs you....Isa.30:1God says don't carry out plans that are not mine...v21 listen when God speaks to direct you.
Ps 139v2 You know when I sit and when I rise;v3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.v5 You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand on me. I can't go anywhere that God does not know where I am! That should give us confidence and peace of mind...
Acts 13:36 when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep and was buried with his father's...God has a purpose for you.
How can we make a difference where we are?
1. Start speaking faith instead of fear to those who need encouragement. Meditate on God's word so that you can share it. When people start talking about all the bad things going on - re-direct the conversation back to what God has for us.
2. Pray for those who are fearful, help them to put their trust in God He alone can save us and He tells us not to worry. 1Pet5:7 cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you
3. Remember God knows everything about us, Ps 37v18 The days of the blameless are known to the Lord - our times are in God's hands.