1 Peter 2:6
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
Have you been, lately, disappointed with God? The NASB puts this verse this way: … he who believes on Him will not be disappointed. The Lord desires that we live a life, full and free of fear. Remember, Peter is writing his epistle to those suffering persecution because of their belief in Jesus Christ! Peter quotes: if you have believed on Him-the precious cornerstone, you will not be disappointed.
You know as well as I do, it’s easy to trust in the Lord when things go well with us. But, what about those times of darkness you will have to pass through sometime or other? It is especially in those times of suffering, we need to exercise our spiritual muscles, and manifest trust in God. Have faith in Him, despite the circumstances… and you will see that fear goes out of your life.
Do Not Fear Men
Matt. 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Pushed to a corner, and standing all alone on taking a stand for Jesus-this is a reality for most of us, sometime or other. Some may ridicule us, others may persecute us; and sometimes, the persecution is from within-our own kin and unbelieving family members!
Take a stand for Jesus; take a stand for righteousness. Do not fear! Join with the Psalmist in declaring: The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6) Remember the life of Joseph- the troubles he had as a lad; hated by his brothers, sold as a slave, falsely implicated and put in prison, forgotten by those he had helped… but, finally, he was promoted and was not disappointed. It was because Joseph feared God, and put his trust on Him.
Do Not Fear the Future
Luke 12:7 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
God who cares for the sparrows, will He not care for you? Therefore do not fear. We can join the chorus of saying “Yes, Lord… Yes, Lord… Yes, Yes Lord… Amen” And it will be so. Amen. And between the time of “Yes” and “Amen”, we will continue to stand in faith. All else may be a blur… but our belief on Him will become our bulwark that never will fail. There may be a slip between the cup and the lip in the world, but there never will be disappointment for those who put their trust on Him. Hallelujah!
Look at Abraham. At an age old enough to be a grandpa (he was seventy-five), he had the promise: You will have a son… your descendants will be like the stars in the night sky! And years went by… but his faith, instead of waning, waxed stronger and stronger, till one day, he saw the promised son, at the ripe old age of hundred!
Read through the honour-roll of the faithful in Hebrews 11. We can follow in the examples of these wonderful men and women of God. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus… (Heb. 12:1)
We can go ahead and live a secure life-free from fear, whether it is concerning our future, our finances or our foes. Look at the birds of the sky, if you feel financially insecure… and look into His promises.
Do Not Fear the Present
John 14:27 "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."
You can imagine the life of the disciples-a life free from fear as long as Jesus was with them, physically. But now, the time had come for some kind of separation, and Jesus was saying to them that He was going away, and that He was leaving THEM here on earth! Imagine the wide-eyed expression on the disciples faces as they heard Jesus speak these words. But Jesus continued saying that He was leaving His PEACE with them- a peace that passes all understanding. Ha, that is enough to live a live without fear of the present… Know His peace and know His ways, today!
Do Not Fear Happenings
Prov. 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.
We hear of terror around us these days…but, DO NOT FEAR. Trust God and entrust your children into the hands of our God. He who led us thus far, He will be with us, and He will see us through. The LORD is our confidence… who will guide us into perfect ways. Exercise faith, for faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6). He is the LORD who made heaven and earth… and we need not look to the left or right, but we must learn to lift up our eyes unto the hills, from whence comes our help…
So, my message today is simple and short: If you are facing disappointment, and are disturbed by the happenings around you, stand out and look up into the night sky… and try counting the stars. Remember Abraham, and the Lord’s promises… Say: “Yes, Lord… Amen.” Let faith rise up in your heart… and you will find fear going out of your life. DO NOT FEAR.
May God Bless You. Amen.
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