Journey, an update 10-12-07

Do not be afraid any longer, only believe. Mark 5:36

This is a verse that we studied in Bible Study on Thursday that caught my attention. As I talk to non-believers I constantly hear tales laced with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of loss, fear of pain, fear of hurt. You name it, the fear is out there. Tragic events cause broken and hurting lives which often leave people rooted in fear.

And yet, it isn’t only non-believers who fear. I think of all the times I have failed to take God at His Word: the times when I don’t really believe in His promises and the times when I worry about finances or success or people’s acceptance of me or a million and one other things. Do I really believe that God is for me? Do I really believe that His plan for my life is for good? Sometimes I don’t act like it. Even this week I was praying and I was struck by the thought that I was worrying and fearing over minor details while God had literally given me everything when He made me His child and heir. Maybe that is why this verse caught my attention in such a powerful way.

Jesus made this statement to a man whose precious little girl was on the brink of death. In fact, this Father has just been told that the battle is over and his daughter is dead. That’s a huge reason to fear. But Jesus issues a challenge. Don’t be afraid any longer. Stop fearing and instead replace fear with belief. Replace fear with hope in God’s Messiah, the Savior who is Jesus Christ. Jesus is bigger than our fears. He holds the whole universe in His hands. We can set aside every worry, every doubt and yes, every fear. Why, because Jesus gives LIFE. Now not all of us get our loved ones back from the grave. And not all of us will be able to pay the bills all the time or succeed at every task. Life is hard and sin in the world wrecks havoc on people’s lives. But if we believe, Jesus does give life that is both eternal and abundant, and he gives purpose, and hope and a reason to leave all fears behind. We can trust Him with our future.

Do not be afraid any longer. Let go of your fear and believe. Jesus is waiting to meet you at the point of your need. He certainly has met me at the point of mine (and I know that He will continue to do so until He draws me home into His eternal presence).