Fear No Fear

“All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). If we didn’t turn into our own way, nothing bad would ever truly get us. Sure, we might get persecuted for worshipping and proclaiming Jesus as Messiah, but we would have the victory in Jesus. We would overcome that which was coming against us. Again, doesn’t mean it’s all squeaky clean and breezy all the time, but there is a HUGE difference from being in a storm in open water and being in a boat. Where do we find iniquity? When we turn into our own way. Where then is the opposite of iniquity? The Word (Psalm 119:115). Our saving grace is that the iniquity we find was placed on Jesus, giving us the chance to choose repentance and get back under the Blessing because Jesus took our punishment – unless we choose not to and remain away from His redemption (where we will find the punishment on Judgment Day). It is cause and effect. The cause of our troubles is turning away from trust in Jesus. The effect is the weeds, thorns, and other roughage out in that iniquity – the punishment, not the effects, were placed on Jesus. We still have consequences for our actions. The devil is looking for a chance to pounce (John 10:10). He can’t when we’re standing on the Word (not with any affect anyway – James 4:7). But if we decide to go backpacking in the wild? We’ll be snared by our own rebellion. It is much freer and safe to stick with Jesus. No matter where He sends us, it will be under His wings – and there is healing of every kind there.