Fear sells. If you look at YouTube you can see it right away. Bold headlines loudly shouting about disaster, economic collapse, impending war, etc. Fear likes to torment us personally as well: fear of death, fear of disease like cancer, fear of losing our home, our jobs, even our faith. One of the greatest fears of many people is what others will think about them. Most people want to 'fit in' and be like everyone else. When they don't, they fear ridicule.
The prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament, often called the weeping prophet, talks about fear in Chapter 20. Here he discusses the fact that he has accusers on all sides just waiting and watching so they can denounce him. But how does he feel about this? He says in verse 11 (a),
"But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail."
Jeremiah knows that no matter what terrors may surround him, his Lord is there and He is mighty and awesome to save.
In Psalm 69 David expresses the same feelings. He is surrounded by enemies who want to destroy him. He cries out to God in verse 13,
"But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation."
Who else but to God do we cry when we are surrounded by trouble and fear? God is our loving father. His salvation is true because He is faithful to His word. In John 15: 26(b) Jesus tells us, "the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me." The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, is our Comforter in times of persecution.
In Psalm 69:20 David talks about looking for someone to comfort him and to have pity on him but there is no one. He wants someone to feel sorry for him. In the south where I am from there is an expression for this, David is having a "pity party". Haven't we all been there at one time or another? His tone changes, however, in verse 29-30 when he says this,
"But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving."
David knows that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). In the depths of David's pain and fear he still praises God. He turns from his tears and begins to praise his God who David knows loves him.
In Matthew 10 Jesus talks about persecution to come and in verses 26-33 Jesus tells us not to fear those who "kill the body but cannot kill the soul" but "rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Our duty, no matter how fearful we may be, is to confess Jesus to the world. The Holy Spirit will help us to conquer our fear and give us the words we need to speak (Matthew 10:19). Just as the Psalmist says in Psalm 119: 6
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Our lack of fear and our ability to praise God in spite of circumstances shows who our hope and trust is really in. The world doesn't have this. They simply don't understand a Christian's ability to face disaster with a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4: 7).
Recently there have been many terrible storms around where I live. These storms have given us an opportunity to witness to others. We can show people what faith really looks like in terrible times. Just like Jeremiah and David, no doubt we will have moments when we are despondent, but we will sing with David in Psalm 30:5(b)
"Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning."
People around us are fearful for many reasons. They desperately need and want hope. Let's show them the fearless way to a better life in Christ. One surrounded with joy instead of fear.
Enjoy this version of the hymn Joy in the Morning.
Comments