Living without Fear

 

[the Lord said] “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking. I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name. And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” (Isaiah 51:12-16 ESV).

 

The vaccine for fear is living in hope. Our reading today gives us the facts of the nature and character of God. The prophet records God’s work from the beginning of time itself. Fear directs us to look to our strength. Hope demands our attention be based on the power and purpose of God on our behalf. The militant atheism so publically publicized in our culture today tries to give the impression of being defiantly courageous. But reality tends to be just the opposite. Life lived without God, or with only passing reference to God, is usually dominated by a fear of people and what they can do. And life dominated by fear is crippled.

 

Take a few steps back from the bluster and threat of the people whom you fear, and listen to the words of Isaiah 51, which calls to us with compelling logic: “Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?” (vv. 12-13).

 

Those who know that God loves his creatures, who have taken refuge in Christ, being saved through his death on the cross, should always remember the words of the psalmist: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty… He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:1-4). Life can be a terror at times. It is at these very times when we must turn to the only One who controls our destiny. Because He is more than capable to turn every circumstance into the good we so desire, we can face all things with a balance of wisdom and courage.