In Times Like These

May I take a few moments to encourage those of you who are struggling with fear? We live in most perilous times, and fearfulness is a very natural response to the violence and uncertainties which surround us. In addition to the constant threat of terrorism, economic difficulties loom, health problems abound, and wickedness increases on many fronts.

Although fear is natural to our fallen nature, we must face it for what it truly is. Fear is sin. It insults God, because it is the opposite of trusting Him, and He has commanded us countless times in His Word not to give place to it.

Fear in various forms has been one of my own weaknesses, but through the years Jesus has been revealing where fear has been lurking in my life. He has been delivering me from it, as I have repented of it and put my trust in Him.

God speaks to us repeatedly throughout His Word, that we are not to give in to fear, but to trust Him Who is able to protect us and provide for us. In uncertain times, there is certainty in Christ Jesus. He will not fail His own. We must constantly keep before our mind's eye that Jesus will return for His Church--perhaps at any moment. We can await His coming with passionate eagerness, and we can expect Him to take care of us while we are yet waiting for His return. We must be like faithful Abraham, realizing that we are

...strangers and pilgrims on the earth. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
(Hebrews 11:13, 16)

May all of God's people passionately live out Colossians 3:1-4:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Yet, while we wait, we are not to be passive. We are to boldly do our part in proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven, just as Jesus did. We are to live victoriously, and "occupy until He comes" (Luke 19:13), which means to take territory away from the devil for Jesus' kingdom and to then maintain it.

For those who are fearful about the future for any reason, I want to encourage you with a few relevant Bible passages:

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. (Psalm 33:18-22)

They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
(Psalm 37:19)

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. and He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. (Psalm 112:4, 7)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(II Timothy 1:7)

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on....Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?...Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
(Please read this entire passage in Matthew 6:25-34.)

Their strength is to sit still. For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
(Isaiah 30:7, 15)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)

Psalm 91

(For more Bible verses to discourage fear's hold on your life, please see We Need Not Fear.)

In the days ahead, please join me in doing the following:

• Trust in God and delight in Him above all else. Our confidence is in Him.

• Learn to listen to Him more closely than ever before, by seeking Him diligently. He will tell His people what to do, and when to do it, if we will listen to Him.

• Intercede, intercede, intercede--for the lost, for those held in bondage, and for those who are called by the name of Christ but are apathetic toward Him.

• Emphatically intercede for the Gospel to break through the demonic walls of Islam. Muslims need to know Jesus just as much as any other nonbelievers do. Pray that God would break the back of Allah and Islam. (True salvation for lost Muslim people is the only real solution to terrorism.)

• Look for and love Christ's appearing--His return for His bride, the Church. (see II Timothy 4:8)

• Stand in the gap for America. Plead for mercy for this nation. Ask God to withhold His judgment yet for a while, that the lost, and also the backslidden church, can have time to repent.

• Repent for the sins of America and cry out to God for revival/awakening such as this country has never yet seen.

Brothers and sisters, let's put our focus back on the mighty King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Let's hear His heartcry for those who are blindly marching toward hell, and hold out Jesus to them--while we pray, and pray hard, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

© 2002 by Lee Ann Rubsam. Revised 2008. All rights reserved.

Back       |       Next