He said to His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:40
Is it possible to live without the fear of a future negative event? It is possible with faith in Jesus Christ as our living Lord. Christ the living Word of God communes with our spirit, and the truth of His Word becomes the basis for fear-ending faith. (Romans 10:17)
If we believe God's assurance that all things work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), we already know the outcome of all life circumstances - they are for our benefit! While all "good" things are not pleasant (painful discipline, challenging instruction, or remediation), knowing the final outcome will be for good enables us to have the peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
Studies have shown that a significant majority of what people worry about never takes place. In short, we suffer anxiety over the unknown, or due to uncertainty. With an eternal outlook - that whatever comes our way is no surprise to God, and ultimately for good - the anguish of trial and tribulation (or the anticipation of it) should be minimized. (John 14:27)
Are we trusting in God, knowing we're in His hands? If so, we know there is no better place to be. If not, it's time to run to His out-stretched arms by opening His Holy Word for blessed assurance, all the while offering intercessory prayer for others. The Gospel of Jesus Christ frees us from the fear of death and destruction enabling us to lift up others with the heart of a servant. (Ephesians 6:18)
Onward Christian soldiers!
Bob Benson
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from My Utmost For His Highest. . .
Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But— she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s theology had its fulfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance— "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ . . ." ( John 11:27 ).
Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you— "Do you believe this?" Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.
To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.
Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, "Do you believe this?" I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier
Amen!
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
