By Emilie Gruben.
I, for one, have never been able to see the future. That should not come as a surprise to anyone. At least, it really better not have. If it did surprise you, we may need to have a short chat, one of these days…
But I have never seen the future. Never have I known what tomorrow would bring. Never seen the sunrise before it happened, or been guaranteed a sunset. The future is always an ever growing instant that creeps up on us, and then is gone before we realize that it was upon us. The next minute we look forward to, we blink, and it’s passed. We worry for months about an event, only to have God take care of it in an instant of resolution and providence. How incredible the Lord is!
Yet, in our recognition of the Lord’s incredible providence, we still have anxieties. Fear breaks in, even if only on occasion. Our sinful habits lead us to ignore the promises of God, which is rejecting His goodness. How do we learn to view the unknown with confidence and not anxiety? Joy instead of fearful frustration? Our first assurance can be found in a command. Joshua 1:9 reads: “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’”
We see similar commands given to others who hold fear. In Exodus 14:13, Moses assures the Israelites of the Lord’s hand of providence, before the crossing of the Red Sea. He reminds them of their salvation-a clear view of how when we have fully placed our faith in the Lord of heaven and earth, we have nothing to dread. “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.’”
We may not be fleeing Egypt by land or by sea, but in daily life, we flee sin and trouble, doing our best to avoid trials and tribulations.
The Lord has commanded us to be strong and faithful in the wake of the unknown, but He has also given us instruction with what to pursue in our fear. We are to call upon Him for our restoration of spirit. Philippians 4:6-7 reads “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” We do not have to make our fear be unheard. Afterall, the Lord hears our every thought. So, let us be vocal in our dependance on Him! Let us say aloud our need for His saving grace, and our want for His steadfast assurance. Every problem that arises, let us humbly go before Him with faith.
Jesus has given us the promised gift of His peace. This gift has been given to us, and will last forever. Every second of our lives, we hold this peace close. An assurance in storm, silence, pain, or serenity. He will endure. John 14:27-31 reads: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.”
A commandment to trust the Lord with our fear. An urge to be open about our fear with the Lord. The Lord gives us His mercies in many ways, each to help us through anxieties and trials, as follows.
We are to trust God’s plans, taking His promised peace as our guide. We read Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Romans 8:28. We have a purpose, ordained by God. The future is held in His hands. We must trust Him, faithfully.
God’s presence and assurance offers us peace in the future and in the present. By trusting His omniscient presence in our lives, we are able to see His providence in the present and in the past. We can have peace in the future by trusting His protection, strengthened in His attributes. Verses like Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 23:4, and Dueteronomy 31:6 remind us of these things.
A confidence in what you believe is necessary. Our hope in sin is that it has been conquered by Christ’s death and resurrection, in our place. Because of Him, and only Him, do we have a hope in life. And a hope in? Death. We have a promise from the Creator of the universe that assures us that we will not be in hell, after we die, but next to Him in Paradise, if we only believe in Him. This promises us that even in death, we have a joyful hope. When our faith in Christ is strengthened by remembering His presence, promise, and plan for eternity, we can overcome fear and uncertainty. Verses like 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 46:1, and Isaiah 40:1.
When we fear in the future and see no promise of hope, we must look to God. No matter the blessing or the trial, He is in control. Our peace is found in Christ, no other. We will encounter many things that will make us fearful, and threaten to raise our anxieties. But our peace and assurance is promised in our loving Savior. We must encourage others in the Lord as in Isaiah 35;4, which reads: “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.””
The Lord is our refuge, strength, and song. Our Help in all things.
Post a Comment