How To Be Afraid – Sunday Thought For The Day

This past week I was reading and studying Luke 2:6-14 (KJV).  Specifically, I have spent a lot of time ruminating on verse 10, which reads: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”  

This verse resonates strongly with me because of the last six words: “…which shall be to all people.”  The birth of Messiah would avail salvation to all people, because He was rejected by His own.  And, even though the angel was referencing his sudden appearance and “the glory of the Lord [shining] round about them;” I find the admonition to “be not afraid” particularly comforting today.  They’re comforting because they are reassuring.

The birth of Christ, is for me, the confirmation of every truth in scripture; because if He had not been born as prophesied, there would be no truth in scripture.   Couple that with the fact that Christ Jesus, Himself, prayed for every born-again child of God there has ever been or will be; that includes myself.  Furthermore, Messiah personally and through the Holy Spirit inspired words of His apostles, has told us exactly how the future would unfold until His final return as revealed in The Revelation.

I explained this to two different persons I spoke with this past week.  The one gentleman was visibly shaken as he shared how worried he was about the future if God didn’t turn things around soon.  The other gentleman was no less worried as expressed we needed to elect the right person(s) in order to save America.  Both of the men are Christians.

I explained to each that for those who are truly born-again; we  know what happens in the days before the end and we know how it ends.  There’s no uncertainty or ambiguity.  It was for this reason that Christ was born; that by believing on Him we would be saved from the wrath to come.

The only reason people are afraid and worried ab0ut the future is because they do not read and study their bibles enough, if at all.  And, that especially goes for Christians.

My friends, this is a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  The Word of God tells us not only what to expect, but also exactly how things will continue until the end.  The birth of Christ begins with our being told “be not afraid.”

But, as I said to the one gentleman earlier this past week; if a person doesn’t read and study the Word of God, not only will they be spiritually anemic and weak; they’ll be fearful and easily misguided; they’ll also lack faith.  They will spend their time worrying and hoping for a fantasy future instead of serving God and thanking God for our His blessed assurance.  Allowing the enemy of our souls to lead us away from reading, studying and memorizing scripture and being filled with worry are wedges he uses to separate us from God.

READ:

Psalm 27 (KJV)

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.