fear no evil

"Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.  Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you"   (Isaiah 31:3,4).


These are times of great trouble and distress.  Many ~ even many professing Christians, are tempted to fear for their future in this world.  If it were not for the reality of God, there would of course be every reason to fear.  "But God....", is a phrase that often occurs in Scripture.  In every case where that phrase appears, it is meant to show that God not only does intervene in human affairs but, also, that His intervention radically affects every circumstance.  Things were indeed hopeless for all of us.  "But God."

The above image speaks to me of the power, beauty and wisdom of the Creator.  It is a picture of quiet, confident repose.  At the same time, I realize the helplessness of such a creature, one (a dove) which everywhere is taken as a symbol of gentleness and peaceableness.  How does such a creature thrive amongst a world inhabited by so many would-be predators?

"But God."  That's how.

Earlier today, I read the passage of Scripture, where that Satan complained unto God, concerning Job: "Doth Job fear God for nought?" (Job 1:9).  Even especially the devil recognizes the reality and import of God's hedge of protection involving the children of God. The devil knows that he can't touch one of God's own ~ without God's permission.  Is that not the meaning of the opening chapter of Job?  Isn't that why the Holy Ghost revealed to us a certain conversation that transpired between God and Satan, long ago?

I have heard, though I've never myself confirmed whether it is so, that the phrase, "fear not," occurs 365 times in the Bible.  I would say that sounds like a reasonable figure.  One of the most notable characteristics of Jesus, was his fearlessness.  And how often did (does) he command his disciples, to "fear not"?  I recall a marvelous, true story involving a female missionary who, in the late 1800s, was taken captive by pirates onboard a sailing ship, together with about 200 other passengers.  Marie Monson (sp?) wrote in her brief biography, concerning that experience, that in prayer she said to the Lord: "You said, 'fear not'.  I will obey your command."  For her, it was not a matter of privilege to live without fear, but it was a matter of obedience.  Wow!!  What a radically different perspective that is!

For those of you who may have been following the so-called "Q" phenomenon, which purports to entail the disclosure of many high-level conspirators and their conspiracies, such revelations doubtless elicit anxiety and fear as well as they inspire hopefulness, amongst many.  Especially that must be so in light of what is known about the soon appearing of the Antichrist and the coming Tribulation.  How is everything going to turn out? is a very reasonable and important question indeed.

We have the answer to that question, in Scripture.

Jesus Christ is coming ~ very, very soon! ~ to judge the world in righteousness, in the process of establishing his own reign over all the world.  I sincerely believe that God is already beginning to work in many ways to prepare the world for Christ's soon coming and his imminent reign.  Even the brief career of the Antichrist shall be entirely subject to the will of God ~ in whose hands the Antichrist will serve as an instrument of divine judgment and retribution, such that shall result in purging rebellion from the earth.

We, the body of Christ, are not losing this battle; we are in fact winning through Christ.

Look up, Church!  Your (our) Redemption is at the door!  "Fear not!" is our King's command.