1-11-21<\/p>\n
It is said that Jesus is recorded more than 40 times in the Bible greeting people with the words \u201cFear Not.\u201d Before any other words, instead of \u201cHi\u201d or its Aramaic equivalent 2000 years ago, He spoke reassurance.<\/p>\n
I have always loved how people in that magical corner of the world of Bavaria, South Tyrol, and Salzburg, Austria, greet each other with the words \u201cGr\u00fc\u00df Gott,\u201d or Gruss Gott<\/em>, the vestige of the affectionate, prayerful \u201cGod bless you.\u201d<\/p>\n No matter how many times Jesus employed \u201cFear Not\u201d \u2013 surely more often than recorded in the four Gospels \u2013 there is a Biblical principle God wants to emphasize. Some Bible scholars say the phrase appears 103 times throughout the entire Bible; others (probably marketers of Christian books) have discovered 365 incidents, and list them, or variations, page by page.<\/p>\n If phrases have slipped into popular culture, that just invites the danger of misuse or corruption. A popular cable-TV host frequently says \u201cLet not your heart be troubled,\u201d clearly not aware that he perverts the invitation of Jesus by omitting the rest of the sentence\u2026 or skirting blasphemy by implying that he is a god-like person.<\/p>\n Rather we should look at the Bible\u2019s reinforcements of the principle, not the world\u2019s corruption of it. \u201cThe fear of<\/em> God<\/em> is the beginning of wisdom…\u201d Or, \u201cGod has not given us the spirit of fear…\u201d<\/p>\n When Scripture reminds us that God is not the author of the spirit of fear, it does not mean there is no such thing as fear \u2013 but that God is not its author. Therefore it originates with Satan; and takes root when we give it a place in our emotions.<\/p>\n Are there things to fear these days? Yes. More than last week; more than last year. The question is, however, whether we yield to fear. Do we let it freeze us? Fear can chase us into dark corners and the fetal position. Or fear can challenge us, and make us bold.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s guest blogger is the Apostle John, who transcribed a discussion with Jesus Christ:<\/p>\n \u201cLet not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father\u2019s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Thomas said to Him, \u201cLord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?\u201d Jesus said to him, \u201cI am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Philip said to Him, \u201cLord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.\u201d Jesus said to him, \u201cHave I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, \u2018Show us the Father\u2019? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves\u2026.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever \u2013 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you\u2026.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThese things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.<\/em><\/p>\n Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, \u2018I am going away and coming back to you.\u2019…<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The \u201cthings of this world\u201d seem suddenly worse than we recently could have imagined. The rise of a hostile foreign power; the intrusions of unaccountable powers of Big Tech; a worldwide plague and fierce lockdowns; domestic terrorism; political turmoil; censorship daily being imposed\u2026<\/p>\n Worse than ever before? Horrible, to be sure; and partly perilous because of its surprises. Worse than previous times in history? \u2013 other plagues; wars; genocides? Worse than prophecies? \u2013 the End Times? The Great Tribulation?<\/p>\n While not<\/em> discounting the parlous dangers we face, a sense of perspective reminds us of other patriots. Military members who sacrifice even their lives. The shoeless volunteers who spent a winter in Valley Forge, leaving bloody footprints in the snow. First responders who routinely face danger and peril, but these days are disdained by mobs calling them ugly names, spitting on them, shooting them.<\/p>\n Reasons to fear, seemingly; things to fear. But no reason to surrender. Nothing to cause despair.<\/p>\n We have a country to redeem. We have a heritage to preserve. We have a Savior to trust.<\/p>\n Hold to God\u2019s Unchanging Hand. Arise, and let us go from here.<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n