NO REASON TO FEAR!

ALTHOUGH I AM FRAIL AND NEED PROTECTION

READ PSALM 91

Psalm 91:3-6

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Living in this corrupt world, sometimes it seems that we are at the mercy of destructive men. As they plan their evil ways, they seem to be able to have the upper hand.

We have all experienced the hurt of hearing that false or damaging statements have been made about us. It is very easy to become overwhelmed with sadness and to feel that we are without hope in this evil world.

The psalmist is reminding us that there are no schemes of man nor evil situations that can escape God’s awareness. We can always find refuge in God’s faithfulness.

God never stops taking care of us perfectly. Nothing happens to us that has not been sifted through His perfect character, wisdom, power, and love.

When we truly rest in these truths, we can find the peace He promises to us all through the His word.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

As Jesus was getting ready to lay down His life for His own and then depart to send the Holy Spirit, He wanted the disciples to know they would not be abandoned and that eternal life with Him would be their final destiny.

Many times, when we are going through difficulties and are being hurt by others, we desire that justice would be done, possibly immediately.

1 Peter 2:20-25

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Dear friends, often we feel that, as believers, we should have a special dispensation from difficulties and suffering. Peter reminds us that we have been called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He certainly was humiliated and suffered unjustly (in fact, we deserved that treatment, though He did not), and He carried the weight of God’s wrath for us, so we could know and live in the care of the Shepherd.

But does God care when we suffer?

He certainly does!

Romans 12:17-19

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

        

The question I must ask myself is: do I trust my Shepherd? He has promised to give me the strength to go through the hardships of life. He has promised to abide with me. He has promised to work all things for good according to the eternal purposes He has for me. He has promised to do justice, in His time.

I have no reason to fear, for my God is near!