The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
“Something To Do (When Afraid)"
We all have different ways of responding to challenges. Some seem to quickly see difficulty as opportunity to overcome. Others readily exacerbate in their minds even small problems and pains into terms of crisis and calamity. Most fall somewhere in between regarding response to challenge, often depending on the measure and mode of the issue.
In born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, all share the same calling, regardless of our native tendencies.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 56:3).
Temptation to fear beckons our hearts to respond in specific and decisive affirmations of trusting the God who “cannot lie,” and who has promised to faithfully be for us and do for us all we require to maintain a heart of peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because He trusteth in Thee” (Titus 1:2; Isaiah 26:3). Our Heavenly Father administers and allows the challenges of life in accordance with His ongoing purpose to conform us to the spiritual and moral image of the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). Whatever our natural response to matters of concern, be it minor or intense, God calls us to do something in our hearts and minds. We use the thoughts and feelings of insecurity as opportunity to do what believers, by definition, do. We believe the perfect Word of God, inspired by the perfect heart of God, which bears witness to the perfect way of God (II Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 32:4; II Samuel 22:31).
Depending on the mode and measure of the challenge, some matters may require numerous affirmations of faith. Our spiritual enemies do not rest when they witness us affirming faith in God. Nor is the old notion true that “if we have really laid our burden before the Lord and still feel worry, it means we haven’t really trusted Him.” Our flesh feels what it feels, and conflicting thoughts can run through the minds of the most trusting saint. No less than the Apostle Paul confessed to feeling “perplexed” regarding his many challenges (Galatians 5:17; II Corinthians 4:8). Some matters require many expressions of “I will trust,” which ironically provide much opportunity for the conscious relating to our Lord - “stayed on Thee” - that may not occur as often when few or fewer challenges confront us. “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Thy Word hath quickened (enlivened) me” (Psalm 119:50).
When afraid, there is something to do. There is always something for our hearts to do. “I will trust,” based on our remembrance and affirmation of the perfect trustworthiness of the God who has never disappointed anyone who places their faith in Him (and who never will). Whatever our natural disposition, spiritual calling and opportunity await all believers with the promise of “the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9). The throne of grace ever beckons with “help in time of need,” including peace for the heart “what time I am afraid."
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your quests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7)
Weekly Memory Verse
"They which receive abundance of grace and of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
(Romans 5:17)
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