Where is your hope? What do you fear?




On a talk radio program a fellow called in complaining that the host was simply trying to scare people with his fiscal dooms-day rhetoric. The caller began quoting statistics and reports that pointed to a recovering economy while the host reminded him of things that had not improved which left things completely unstable. They agreed on what they feared; what they disagreed on was the subject of hope.
I disagree with them on both counts… Psalm 33:18,19 “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death…” When you fear the Lord you soon find out there is really nothing else to fear. Not that we are not afraid sometimes but because of where our hope lies we know it is foolishness. Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.”
There is really little or nothing we can do about those other things we fear. But fear of the Lord brings about obedience. And when you walk in obedience to the Word of God what you fear about Him is no longer directed at you. Instead, His loving comfort drowns out the fear.
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us.” The phrase “Fear Not” is used over three hundred times in scripture. I think God means it. Jesus warned in Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Fear of the Lord is not a crippling psychosis, but a light which leads us to safety.
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.”
When you fear God your hope shifts from this world to the next. Statistics, numbers, and campaign promises are interesting but no longer can they reach us at our core or shake our confidence. The threat of a coming national or global crisis becomes a thing of awe when it is seen in the light of prophetic scripture. Our hope is suddenly catapulted to the promises beyond the coming storm. When prophecy reveals frightening truth about this world it simultaneously offers up the announcement of the world yet to come.
When we fear the Lord with a healthy reverence we become partakers in the hope of His salvation. If you are afraid you do not know His love!
The coming year is full of hope and Good News because of Jesus Christ. Because He forewarned of perilous times we also have hope in the coming Kingdom. Be blessed when others tremble for your salvation is close at hand. Share with others the promise of a fearless life for those who fear God.