Nothing to Fear
I’ve had many tears and sorrows. I’ve had questions for tomorrow. There have been times I didn’t know right from wrong. But in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation, that my trials come to only make me strong.
Those who have heard and sung the songs of Andrae Crouch (we sang many of them), will recognize that first paragraph from his song, “Through It All”. The chorus goes on to say, “Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”
Actually, those words could be my song and my story, because through everything I’ve encountered in my life, from a young girl to today, I’ve learned, through it all, to trust God and His Word. That is my anchor, my mainstay, my pillar of strength, my shelter from the storms, my strong tower.
I like what George Mueller said to a man who had asked him the best way to have strong faith. ‘The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.” Whew! Great trials?? That’s not what we wanted to hear.
If ever we need to trust God and His Word, it is in these perilous times. There’s plenty going on to make us fearful. In times like these, when our entire world is in turmoil and when nothing seems safe or secure, our God says, “Fear not!”
Isaiah 41:10 says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
To those, today, who are facing financial challenges, health issues, marriage problems, have children who are off-course, have fear for safety and peace, our Father’s message to us today is the same as the angel’s word to the shepherds “Fear not”, the same words that God spoke to Joshua, “Fear not”, the same words that Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and DO NOT BE AFRAID.”
Knowing that I have a Father who comes to me and says, “Fear not, I am with you” gives me so much hope, encouragement, solace and assurance for all my todays and tomorrows. By the way, He’s your Dad, too — He says the same thing to you!