What Are You Afraid Of?

Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. ~ Psalm 9:20

I recently did a search on the various fears people may have. Checking numerous sources, I found the following to be among the ten most common, though not necessarily in this order:

1. Spiders
2. Heights
3. Flying
4. Storms
5. Death
6. Crowds
7. Confined spaces
8. Vomiting
9. Cancer
10. Germs

I read of people becoming so bound by their fear that it is a great hindrance in their lives. For instance, some become so afraid of germs that they will never leave their homes, while others fear cancer so much they avoid anyone they know who has it.

There is a sobering irony in all of this. Men being cumbered in fears they should not have, while lacking the one fear that should utterly grip their hearts. That is... the fear of the Lord.

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. (Psalm 33:8)

Jesus said… “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” (Luke 12:5)

Sinful men are at enmity with their Creator. They have violated His holy standards. They have rebelled against their Maker. They have become defiled and unclean things. God is angry with them. His wrath now abides upon them. One day this just and mighty God will pour out His wrath upon all who work iniquity and cause offence. They will be cast into hell where they will spend an eternity separated from Him.

Should not men fear God? Indeed! Yet, to the destruction of their own souls, they do not.

Look at the list. Do your own search. You will not find the fear of God among the common fears people have. Truly, as we have been told:

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18)

How utterly tragic this is. Because…

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Psalm 145:19)

and…

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. (Psalm 147:11)

Do you "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling?" (Psalm 2:11)

　
What are you afraid of?


*　
　　
　
　

Do You Really Want To Know Jesus?

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ~ Philippians 3:10

　
Here the apostle Paul speaks of a ‘knowledge’ of Jesus that goes way beyond some simple head knowledge and is much deeper than a sentimental affection. Truly, it is a knowledge of the most intimate type.

Paul wants to be so identified with the nature and character of Jesus that he is willing to suffer to the point of death that he might know the power of His resurrection.

Listen to what Paul is saying.

He is saying:

I want to know what it is to be mocked, despised, and tormented for God.
I want to know what it is to be so hated by this world that I am put to death.
I want to know His victorious power of resurrection to life!
I want to know Him!!!

Obviously, Paul is not talking about some casual Sunday-go-to-meeting type fellowship. He is speaking of a total sold-out surrender that goes way beyond that.

Think about that for a moment.

Let that sink deeply into your mind.

Then ask yourself... “Do I really want to know Jesus?”

*

Is There Something You Are Hiding?

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. ~ Luke 12:2

A little girl stole a pretty red barrette from her cousin. Cleverly she slipped it into her dress pocket.

When confronted by her cousin, she denied having it. Upon examination by her mother and aunt, she carefully and with slight of hand removed the barrette showing her pockets to be empty. Thus, she convinced the adults that she was being wrongly accused.

As her family drove away leaving her cousin in tears, she glowed in triumphant thievery.

Yet, the story does not end here.

Nearing her home, the thought suddenly entered her mind that she wouldn’t be able to wear the barrette. Certainly her mother would know where it had come from. Most definitely she would be punished for this offence. It seemed as though the barrette was now burning a hole in her hand. She no longer glowed in triumph, rather she smoldered in torment of mind. What would she do?

Upon arrival home, she wanted nothing more than to be rid of the whole thing. So, she decided to hide the barrette and to do so as quickly as possible. Thus, she bounded into the house and hastily tucked the little red barrette into the first thing she saw.

That first thing she saw just happened to be the family Bible.

No doubt, Providence would have it so.

A few moments later, her father entered the room and noticed a lump in the Bible. What did he find but the little red barrette! Truly, her sin had found her out!

Needless to say, she was chastised for her transgression. She was also humbled in that she was made to call and confess her sins to her aunt and cousin. The stolen item was returned to it's rightful owner at the first available opportunity.


Just like the little girl in this story, there are many who think they can hide their sins from God. But, they too will one day learn that there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed.

Is there something you are hiding?

*