Shall We Fear?

A few minutes ago I read that China is rattling sabers against Japan.  "Friendly allies" kill American soldiers in Afghanistan.  Murderous violence is intensifying against the U.S. and other western nations in Muslim countries.  The economies of our nation and world seem bent on implosion as unfathomable debt continues to mount.  Shall we be afraid?

Here is how the Bible answers that question: No, do not fear, but humbly trust God.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. "  Psalm 23:4

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalm 27:1

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body,and after that have nothing more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell."  Luke 12:4-5

"And [Jesus] said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.  For life is more that food, and the body more than clothing...And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  Is then your are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?"  Luke 12:22-23, 25-26

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:6-7

The Word of God does not call us to some sort of naivete; the world is an evil and wicked place in which scary things are commonplace and uncertainty is ever prevalent.  But our God is vastly, infinitely greater and He is WITH US as our LIGHT, SALVATION AND STRONGHOLD!  He promises to strengthen, help and uphold us.  He will provide for us and free us of deadly fear and care for us.  So let us trust and believe Him in these raging, unsettling times, and let us help one another to trust and believe Him.

And here is another thought to contemplate.  The unrest, tensions and fears of the world present opportunities for us to speak of Christ to those in our influences circles who are caught up in it because their security does rest in the Lord.  So as the events of the coming days unfold, be alert for opportunities He affords you to