Fear is a weapon to be used by you if you control it, by your enemies if you do not.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Proving Trail)
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.”
–Proverbs 3:24 (NKJV)
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Greetings! Welcome to 2021, and welcome back to the Echoes From the Campfire. Just sit there for a moment, take a deep breath and let your imagination begin to move. Can you smell the smoke from the burning wood? Listen to the crackle as the flames burn deep into the wood. Now open your eyes, and gaze into the fire, notice the coals glowing as the wind breathes on them.
Not real, you say. Well, let me disappoint you again. The number assigned to this year, 2021, isn’t magical. The date on the calendar might have changed, but there are still the same problems. There is still the “virus” to contend with, there is still violence on the streets, there are still foolish and power-hungry bureaucrats lurking around. The same hatred and bitterness looms as larger now as ever.
Does that depress you? Don’t let it for I’ve got some good news. I was reading in Matthew toward the end of last year and a phrase stuck out to me.
“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'”
–Matthew 28:5-6 (NKJV)
Focus on the phrase: “do not be afraid.” If you are saved, if you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ–do not be afraid! There is comfort in those words. I have in the front of one of my Bibles a quotation by Joseph Parker, “Fear God, and no other fear will ever trouble you.” It is time for Christians to walk in the confidence and assurance of God. He is with us, what comes our way He knows about.
Perhaps you have phobias. Some of them are understandable, yet some are part of our vivid imagination. I want to share a little with you from Charles Spurgeon.
“Did the earth quake? Fear not: God can preserve you though the earth is burned with fire. Did the angel descend with terrors? Fear not: There are no terrors in heaven for the child of God who comes to Jesus’ cross and trusts his soul to Him who bled thereon. Poor women, is it the dark that alarms you? Fear not: God sees and loves you in the dark, and there is nothing in the dark or in the light beyond His control. Are you afraid to come to the tomb? Does the grave alarm you? Fear not: You cannot die. Since Christ has risen, though you were dead, yet shall you live.”
Many people, including Christians are living in fear. Fear is the grand tool of the devil. God uses love, Satan uses fear. It is one of his choice weapons; therefore, do not let it control you.
There are so many voices out there, you better listen to the right One. Listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Don’t run into 2021 with false expectancy or with fear in your heats, but go into it with confidence that the Holy Spirit is guiding your steps. Be cautious and alert for the devil is there to destroy you by any means possible. Trust in the Lord and in His might. Let me finish this first Echo with words from Charles Spurgeon.
“The past you need not fear, for it is forgiven. The present you need not fear, for it is provided for. The future is also secured by the living power of Jesus. ‘Because I live, you also will live’ (John 14:19). Fear! How can it remain when Christ has risen from the dead?… What is it you fear? If an angel bids you to not fear, why will you fear? If every wound of the risen Savior and every act of your reigning Lord consoles you, why will you fear? To be doubting and fearing, now that Jesus has risen, is an inconsistent thing in any believer… Therefore, do not fear.”
Go now with confidence, the new year is here. What it holds only the Lord knows, but do not tremble as you walk into the year. Know that He is right beside you–have no fear.