Fear, Common Sense and Faith March 28, 2020
Let’s discuss something that has affected each of us and been on our minds the last few weeks.
What have been happening are the news outlets and government has been telling our people that this virus is so deadly that we have to be quarantine and are quarantine from this contagious or infectious China virus disease because our country is in the midst of a deadly pandemic.
We have seen panic, fear, anger and doubt in so many people. All we have to do is look at the grocery stores. Toilet paper. Do you have yours.
We know Fear is a basic human emotion: describing the inner condition of the heart.
Somewhere in all our thinking God has to figure into the equation of fear. There must be a reason that the Bible tells us (in various ways and in various places) to “fear not” or do not fear.
God told us to “fear not” because he knew that we would all wrestle with fear sooner or later.
Abraham’s example of waiting for a child.
Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. (2) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
When we move, we really do not know what to expect. Especially across state lines.
We know to become a great nation, Abraham needs a child. From reading the Scriptures God didn’t seem to be in a hurry to give Abraham and Sara a son. Would doubt and fear come into their minds, did something displeasing to God, should we go to Plano B. By now,
Genesis 15:1-4 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." (2) But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" (3) Then Abram said, "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!" (4) And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir."
Why could Abraham doubt God’s Promise.
- Abraham was 75 when first spoke to him.
- Abraham was 85 when God said, Fear not.
- Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born. (too old)
- Sarah also doubted. Sarah laughed.
God told them and us, you and me, that “He is our shield” which means He protects and rescues us in time of doubt, fear, and danger.
Deuteronomy 31:8 Indeed, the LORD is the One who will keep on walking in front of you. He'll be with you and won't leave you or abandon you, so never be afraid and never be dismayed."
We know, nothing can harm us without God’s permission. Not cancer, physical disability, terrible accident, or any other 1000 other sorrows that afflict us a God’s Children.
As you know, we are not immune to this sadness and what happens to others also happens to us. The big difference is this; we know that God protects us from harm so that nothing can touch us that don’t first pass through God’s hands of love. Sure we weep and suffer, but Paul tells us:
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.
Faith is very important to grow stronger through a difficult situation, fear and doubt. God’s answer to fear for us, remember we just read, the Lord said, “Fear not. I am your shield.” God himself is the final answer to every fear of the human heart.
We pray, claiming God’s promises of protection, because we know God can be trusted to what is right. Regardless what happens to each of us, we can still trust in our Heavenly Father. The Father is faithful to keep everyone of His promises.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Isaiah 43:1 But now this is what the LORD says, the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: "Do not be afraid, because I've redeemed you. I've called you by name; you are mine.
Jesus tells us about our hairs on my head.
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. (30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Very encouraging words:
Psalms 34:19 A righteous person will have many troubles, but the LORD will deliver him from them all.
Living under Fear, Anxiety and Worry can cause serious health consequences. This fear can cause weaken our immune system and cause damage to our physical and mental body.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious {or worry} about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Jesus tells us:
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
John 10:27-29 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
We know already, when someone is sick, what we are to do.
James 5:13-14 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. (14) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
When we hear bad news happening around us, don’t immediately jump up and do everything you can think of to protect yourself out of fear.
The first thing we should do is sit down (rest), think about it, Think about God’s Word, then Use some common sense.
Yes, I said, sit down, before you do anything. Why, because we are told to.
We are protected because of Jesus’ finished work.”
Why can I say this, because of Psalms 91. This Psalm is a picture of the all-encompassing hands of God, protecting and blessing us, yes, each of us and never be snatch out of their hands.
To me, the following verses is why we can feel safe in the hands of our Lord and our Father.
Psalms 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
dwells: Yashab, means to properly to sit down, as a judge, in ambush, in quiet. In His arms.
Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Psalms 91:3 He will surely deliver you from the hunter's snare and from the destructive plague. Virus?
Psalms 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge {find safety}; His truth shall be your shield and buckler {or armor}.
Jesus protects us from the top and described Himself as a mother hen under whose wings can come for refuge.
Shield and buckler indicates complete protective shield for us
Psalms 91:5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
No matter what time of the day, we are covered by Jesus protection from evil in general.
Psalms 91:6 Nor of the pestilence {or plague} that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Again, No matter what time of the day, we are covered by Jesus protection.
Psalms 91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
Jesus protects us on our left and on our right and the punishment of the wicked is as sure as the deliverance of the righteous.
Psalms 91:8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Punishment of the wicked.
Psalms 91:9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
Psalms 91:10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
Jesus protects our household and our family
Psalms 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
God gives the angels for our protection, no matter what the danger
Psalms 91:12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Psalms 91:13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
Jesus protects us from the dangers below
Psalms 91:14 "Because he has set his love {focus} upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
Love means cling, holding close to, even hugging tightly in love.
Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalms 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."
Jesus protection will see us through all our years and will result in long life.
Psalm 91 concludes in a dramatic manner, a direct promise from the Father to the Son concerning His ultimate victory over death itself
1 Corinthians 15:20-21 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (21) For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
And finally, Paul said about us very encouraging words
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
(53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."
We will then be changed to Spirit Being at His coming
And finally, stay home if we are to stay home and help stop this virus!
Many are praying, but God doesn't work this way, he expects us to do our part and only after this, pray!
Pray for the doctors and nurses, truck drivers, first responders, store workers and farmers and all those fighting to save our life and to keep us safe, but we need to do our part.
Stay home, wash your hands and trim your nails, keep clean. Quarantine if you think you've been exposed.
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