Fear has many layers. Sudden fear causes us to panic. Panic makes us store memories that cause us to limit our experiences. In turn, we do not trust God completely with the circumstances. Our relationship with God is a faith walk. He does not reveal all that He is doing because He wants us to walk by faith. Exodus 2:1-10 is a wonderful picture of the "faith walk." How many times, in this story, could panic have caused a different outcome?
Now, study Proverbs 3:21-26. These verses contain the prescription for dealing with sudden fear or panic.
"My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh. For the Lord shall be they confidence and shall keep they foot from being taken."
Learning to allow God to be God and allowing Him to keep us is really what gives us rest. Panic should not exist in the life of a well rested Christian.
Jochebed had a beautiful baby boy during Pharaoh's decree that all the Hebrew baby boys should be thrown into the Nile river. The Egyptians worshipped Pharaoh and the Nile. They lived in a constant state of panic because of Pharaoh's visible power. An overwhelming since of fear and dread filled their everyday lives. To disobey Pharaoh was out of the question.
Jochebed was able to keep her baby hidden from view for three months. She slept with him, nursing him in the middle of the night. Then she began to fashioned a basket of papyrus. She had to collect these reeds and the other materials in secret. The bitumen or pitch (tar) would have taken a few days to dry. She had to tell her husband and older children what she was doing. She was staying up late at night to complete the task. Then the day came. She placed the ark in the rushes on the bank of the Nile in a place, I am sure, she had witnessed Pharaoh's daughter visiting, at least a time or two. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she prayed for God to protect her baby and deliver him to safety. She left Miriam to watch from a distance while she returned to her duties.
What if Jochebed had allowed panic and worry to control her? Would she have experienced the blessed outcome? Continue pondering the next few verses. Pray and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal how you push your own panic button. Ask God to help you to grow in your trust of HIM. He is in control of all our circumstances. He knows the outcome and He is working it all for our good and HIS glory. (Romans 8:28)
No comments:
Post a Comment