Why You Don’t Have to Live in Fear
Angels are not mystical or mythological, nor are they
supposed to be the object of our worship. They are biblical realities on
assignment from God. They point me to recognize God’s presence and see God’s
power. As angels are God’s messengers, so they are his soldiers, his hosts, his
legions, or regiments, for the good of his people. No matter what the nightly
news says about current circumstances, God’s good news is my ultimate reality.
The enemy is vicious, but he is not victorious.
Lysa TerKeurst
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard
you in all your ways.” -
Psalm 91:11 (ESV)
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who
are with us are more than those who are with them.’” 2 Kings 6:16 (NIV)
Do you ever look around at all that is
happening in our world today and feel fear grip your heart?
It’s something that can feel especially
difficult as parents.
We wonder if we’re teaching our children
enough to stand strong as Christians in today’s culture.
We worry about whether or not we’re
equipping them well for the battles they’ll surely face.
We crave safety and certainty and
simplicity as we raise our families, serve God and live out our Christian
beliefs.
But so many things feel threatening to
those desires.
How do we navigate both our fears and our
faith?
There’s a wonderful truth I turn to time
and again when I get afraid.
It’s in 2 Kings
Chapter 6 verse 16, “‘Don’t be afraid,’
the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with
them.’”
The prophet Elisha spoke this treasured
truth to his servant.
The servant was breathless with fear
because he looked and saw a massive enemy army surrounding them.
His desperation is
so clearly heard in verse 15b: “‘Oh no,
my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.”
Their circumstances were horrible and
hopeless when examined through human eyes.
But Elisha doesn’t look at circumstances
with human eyes.
He sees there are always two realities to
everything we face: a physical reality but also a spiritual reality.
Elisha clearly saw the frightening military
leaders surrounding his city who thought they were in control.
But he also saw an angel army sent by God
who was far stronger, far greater and far more in control than any human eye
could see.
I love what Elisha prays for his servant.
Elisha prays his spiritual eyes will be opened
so his faith will be increased. He doesn’t pray for his servant’s fear to be
eased.
He doesn’t pray the enemy army turns and
runs away.
He doesn’t pray a new king will swoop onto
the scene and change the cultural climate of that day.
He doesn’t pray his circumstances will
change at all. He simply prays his servant can see with spiritual eyes that God
is in control.
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who
are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open
his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes,
and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around
Elisha”
(2
Kings 6:16-17, NIV).
An angel army sent by God was there with a
divine assignment.
His fear was then silenced as he saw the
protection and provision of God.
And that’s how we can quiet our fears as
well.
Psalm 34:7 reminds
us of this same truth, “The angel of the
LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (NIV).
That was true for Elisha’s fearful servant,
and it is true for us, too.
The Matthew Henry
commentary says, “As angels are God’s
messengers, so they are his soldiers, his hosts (Genesis 32:2), his legions, or
regiments, (Matthew 26:53), for the good of his people.”
And probably most
comforting to my mom’s heart is Matthew 18:10, which says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you
that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (NIV).
Angels are not mystical or mythological,
nor are they supposed to be the object of our worship.
They are biblical realities on assignment
from God. They point me to recognize God’s presence and see God’s power.
I need to remember this truth.
No matter what the nightly news says about
current circumstances, God’s good news is my ultimate reality.
The enemy is vicious, but he is not
victorious.
Therefore, I can sometimes feel afraid, but
I don’t have to live afraid. Not for myself or for my children.
And I believe with all of my heart that the
lyrics of Chris Tomlin’s beautiful praise song are true: The God of angel
armies is now and forever by our side.
Lord, thank You for Your careful concern for me and my
family. We never have to feel alone or powerless because You are always with
us.
We are Your guarded and treasured children. Quiet all
of my fears and keep reminding me that You are making all things right and
good.
I know Your love will reign supreme.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
TRUTH
FOR TODAY
Psalm 91:11, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (ESV)
RELATED
RESOURCES
Do you ever struggle trusting God with your
kids? You aren’t alone. That’s why Lysa TerKeurst put together, “15 Prayers for
Your Son” and “15 Prayers for Your Daughter.” These resources will help you
fight for the heart of your son or daughter through Scripture-based prayers. We
pray these resources help you in your journey of learning to trust the Lord
with your kids. Click here to download now!
CONNECT
You can connect with Lysa on a daily basis
on Facebook.
REFLECT
AND RESPOND
What has been stirring fear in your heart
recently? How might those fears subside if you asked God to help you see them
from His perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments.
What
We Believe
If your life feels too overwhelming, click here for our care and counseling resources.
I
live at the end of a long driveway in a white, brick house that holds our
family’s most important memories. At home, I can be found in my comfy chair
with my Bible and journal, writing from my gray table, or gathering with
family, playing games and laughing over shared meals.
People
assume I’m an extrovert. And I do love people. But I recharge in solitude.
Quiet moments of reflection. Praying. Dreaming. Grieving. Asking. Processing.
Thinking. Breathing it all in. And then exhaling just as deeply.
Home
is where I’ve been broken open and put back together.
The
last several years have been the hardest of my life. After nearly 30 of
marriage, we’ve known the depths of marital heartbreak, what it feels like to
wrestle through healing, and walking the long journey toward restoration. I
also know what it feels like to be diagnosed with cancer and to wonder why God
would allow so much heartbreak. My pillow has seen its fair share of tears. But
I’ve also seen God move in astounding ways… not always the ways I thought He
would, but I guess that’s why we are called to follow Him with faith. And at
the end of each day, that’s what you’ll find me doing — going to bed while
saying thankful prayers for ways I once again experienced God’s faithfulness
that day, big and small.
I
wish with every fiber of my heart that we could erase parts of our story. But
staying stuck in trying to wish something away will cause me to miss the beauty
of what is… and even better… trusting God for what can be.
https://www.proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/02/04/why-you-dont-have-to-live-in-fear
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