Monday, January 21, 2008

Fear so you don't fear

Je 1:17-19 - But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

What a great challenge to dress yourself and get going. I love the promise behind the command, which I will will be with you, and I will deliver you. You will not be dismayed because I am on your side. But the warning is this: if you are dismayed or fearful, than I will dismay you before them. But if you fear me, Jeremiah, God says, than, there will be nothing to fear. But, God doesn’t promise it will be easy. There will be a fight, but they will not win.

Ps 34:4-8 - I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

This Psalm is the perfect companion to the challenge of Jeremiah. When we seek the lord, we wil be delivered from all my fear. He won’t be delievered necessarily from the fight, but from the fears, which is the only thing Jeremiah was warned against. If you are dismayed, I will dismay you. That was the only fear that Jeremiah should have had. The promise here is that an an angel will encamp around those who fear him, and he will deliver them. As we press into God we will, at the most scary times, taste and see that He is good and we will be blessed as we take refuge in Him!