Fear No Fear

“God is our refuge and strength, a well-proven help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3, MEV). Jesus loves us enough to be with us no matter what. Jesus warned the world would be in upheaval (Matthew 24:4-8). When the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord comes, it will DEFINITELY be in upheaval. We don’t know exactly what will happen. The Lord gives us pictures in scripture of many times throughout history (some having happened, some still to come) about some CRAZY things. They could be figurative or symbolic. They could be literal. Only HE knows. The important thing is not WHAT will happen, but who will be with us when they do happen. The answer is Jesus. Jesus is committed to being beside us. Being with us. Being right there. Like in the storm on the sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22-33). It was a terrible storm. They were going to sink and drown. Jesus came to them. Jesus called out to them when they saw Him. Peter even went walking out to Jesus – and got into more trouble. Just when Peter cried out, Jesus responded. Jesus loves us enough to come to us in our storms. To come to us when the Earth shakes. When disasters happen – man made or nature related. But we need to cry out to Him. We need to see Him. We need to recognize that He is there and look to Him as our help and shelter. We can be as safe as a baby in a bassinet whether there is an earthquake, a tsunami, a missile attack, or a terrorist government using us as a human shield. It doesn’t matter if the stock market is dying, the banking system is collapsing, the food transportation system is derailed, or if the internet is taken offline. It doesn’t matter if we’re being bullied or kept down or investigated or arrested or denied access to services. No matter WHAT is happening, WHERE it is happening, or WHY it is happening; Jesus can be our rest and shelter. If we are looking to Him, we’ll see the signals He gives us. If we are crying out to Him, and then LISTENING for instructions, we WILL get them. He’ll take our hand. He’ll lift us out of the trouble. He’ll give us shelter in His arms. The storm might still be happening, but we’ll be plugged into Him, accessing His storehouses, and completely safe – able to bless others who come to us for help and give Him glory for being able to. No matter WHAT the trouble is, God is MORE THEN ENOUGH to deliver us, bless us, and help us bless others. He doesn’t need to make the trouble disappear. He OVERCOMES the trouble and takes us with Him – when we’re looking to Him and actively choosing humble obedience. He is there. He is ready. Are we?