#LNYHBT
I had an unsettling experience in the middle of the night.
Something (or someone) pounded on my door or window once (not repeatedly).
I thought maybe I dreamed it. But both cats were sitting up, alert and on the edge of the bed.
It was a real noise.
There was a time when I would throw on a robe and slippers and go outside to investigate.
I no longer have that careless impulse.
Let the trouble come to me.
I will sit calmly prepared in my own familiar environment, thank you very much.
Big, tough words for an older woman that is challenged by putting shoes on in the morning....😂
I eventually fell back asleep for a few hours.
As I sit here now, I'm reflecting (in disbelief and wonder) at the sensible, mature way I handled my fear.
I did what I was physically trained to do at a self-defense class a few years ago.
More importantly, I turned my momentary fear completely over to God. This is what allowed me to return to sleep.
Several Scripture verses come to mind when dealing with sudden fear-inducing events:
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
For some reason, I hear Linus quoting this verse in my imagination (even though I know it was Luke 2 he quoted in the Charlie Brown Christmas special.)We are encouraged to arm ourselves in childlike trust like Linus when we are afraid. (You're going to hear every verse written today in Linus' voice now, aren't you? 🤭)
Psalm 46:1–2 NKJV
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea..."
I often think of this Psalm as the "California Psalm", especially after earthquakes, fires or floods that ravage the land and cause the earth to crumble into the ocean and ravines.
The earth may give way, but our hearts and trust for the Lord do not.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
There was a time when Twitter — which was just getting its sea legs — had seasoned political pundits and newcomers alike reciting these words (Thank you, Sean Hannity, for bringing #LNYHBT to the mainstream).
Psalms 46:10a NKJV
“Be still, and know that I am God..."
This passage, in tandem with the next verse, are the keys to extinguishing immediate fear.
Psalms 56:3 NKJV
“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
I threw these Scriptural blankets over the fire of my fear last night.
Problem solved.
Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
These verses are used so often in this Bible study, we must have them memorized by now, right?
RIGHT?
John 14:27 NKJV
“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. ”
A beautiful Scriptural wrap-up from the Apostle John. He reiterates Proverbs 3:5, encouraging us to replace our fear with God's peace.
Because of all of the fear-quenching last night, I ended up sleeping peacefully under God's watch. I can carry the Lord's peace into today.
The above verses are essential as fear responses. In the long-term, however, we are given these life rafts to cling to:
Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV
"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Isaiah 43:1c-d NKJV
“...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”
God's sovereign counsel stands from beginning to end — His purpose will prevail.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
A personal favorite because I have a depiction of it inked on the arm closest to my heart.
Each "Fear not" in the Bible comes with God's sovereign promise and plan: He will never abandon those who love Him.
Mush
By R.C. Sproul
Established by God
In Mark 12:13-17, Jesus deftly answered the question posed to Him about paying taxes, providing a reply that enabled Him to escape both the ire of the Roman government and the anger of the Jews who were unhappy with the Roman occupation of the Holy Land. Yet His reply that the Jews should “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (v. 17) also indicates that the Roman authorities had certain things that belonged to them, a right to demand particular forms of obedience from the people whom they ruled. Our Lord’s instruction on this point is part of Scripture’s broader teaching on civil government, which we will study more carefully over the next few days.
The proper role of government receives lots of attention in the pages of the Bible. Under the old covenant, for example, Israel was ruled by divinely anointed kings who were subject to the Mosaic law (Deut. 17:14–20). These kings generally had different duties than the priests and the prophets, the other authority figures in ancient Israel, although there was some overlap as well. For example, the priests offered sacrifices and the kings, except on extraordinarily rare occasions, did not. We cannot point to this separation of duties as an example of modern notions of the separation of church and state. Nevertheless, the fact that the kings had specific things over which they were normally responsible and others for which they were not usually responsible indicates that God has always had a defined role for the state in the outworking of His plans.
With the fall of Judah and the end of the Davidic monarchy, God’s people found themselves living under a succession of pagan rulers—Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome. Thus, when we read the New Testament, the church does not live under a theocracy. The roles of state officials and church officials are now more sharply defined and distinguished, though as we will see in due time, this does not mean the state can do whatever it wants and is not accountable to God.
Today’s passage demonstrates that even secular governments are ultimately established by the Lord, for Romans 13 is addressed to Christians who were living under Roman rule, not the Israelite theocracy. Thus, our obedience or disobedience to civil authorities is ultimately a matter of obedience or disobedience to God.
CORAM DEO (In God's Presence)
Living before the face of God
As we will see, God’s authority supersedes the authority of the civil government, so we must have a nuanced view of civil obedience and disobedience. Still, that the Lord establishes civil governments reveals that government is not evil in itself. Evil governments may appear at times, but the general existence of authorities to preserve law and order is a good thing. Let us thank God for the gift of government, which protects us from civil anarchy.
(Copyright © Ligonier Ministries.)
PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
We find ourselves in difficult political times. We often find ourselves stuck between the rocks and hard places when it comes to voting and politicians. We know You are in control of all things Help us dismiss our fears and vote in Your will for our lives, even when Your will doesn't look like what we expect Teach us to trust in the scary and hard times, Lord. In Your precious and holy name, Amen.