Classic timing, the theme of the week is: Fear Not…. remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. David in Psalm 27.
So many times we preach and teach: Fear Not, GOD’S GOT THIS… but when something happens and scares us, we have to put our faith to the fire test, but better to put His fire into our faith. We have to believe God’s Word, and live it. You and I know that we aren’t always best at this faith test, but God’s winning of our faith test can give us rest. God’s precious hold on us is the best.
I was nervous about what faith test I would be stepping into when during the “wellness fair” at work, but it was filled with free toothbrushes and insurance tips, healthy food advice and I got my free flu shot. The enthusiastic organizer invited me into the mindfulness session by another sweet lovely lady who teaches breathing and meditation techniques, had a quiet place to chat. I motioned that my mindfulness is giving prayer up to God, but later I did go talk to the nice lady. I sat and asked for armor of God in the session to protect my heart and thus protect my mind, and we had a nice short faith conversation, including how beautiful the leaves were as God’s creation. Then she explained and shared breathing techniques (which reminded me of marching band lessons) and she shared two calming scents: clove oil and lavender… Yes, these ARE wonderful fragrances (designed by the Lord no doubt) and have been a blessing to me previously… So nice moment and then I left back into work and life…
The mindfulness or mixed-up-mind-emptying-ness all really should go back to filling up our heads with God’s assurances, be still, be living in His Living Word, put on His Armor, Fear Not.
Yes, stress and humanness are our “lot in life” and require us to walk gently through this world. The fact that we are but travellers is another reason Jesus says to give Him your burdens.
Covid and college and children are many reminders of “things” for sure in my life that I need rest in God’s Hands. Having those kits are helpful to test and rest assured when you “need to know”, I’ve sent my college kids many these past years, so far so good… I’ve sent grocery money and often my college kid has taken the train home just to rest. Having God’s rest is even better…
Focusing on today and a devotion book I read said to not be making “mushrooms grow” by worrying about tomorrow. Making mushrooms pop up all over. after a rainy stretch, was the phrase about not stressing over tomorrow but living in the present. Another friend and I shared the scripture: Do Not Worry from Jesus teaching in Matthew’s Gospel…
So, whatever term is used, we know that letting our minds race ahead of us is harmful and causes fear. God’s provisions should help us not fear. King David sang what is written down as Psalm 27 in God’s Word: The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
I have friends who have much worse burdens than me, and just this week I’ve watched them in different stages of stress give them over to the Lord: a horrible motorcycle accident, a financial crisis, conflicts, family brokenness, a LOT of stressful scenes… makes my mushrooms of worrying about tomorrow mini in comparison to so many problems of today.
Maybe one additional aspect of our delving into old testament readings is to realize life was not perfect then and is not perfect now. Our perfect Savior is not a perfectionist of our human attributes but adding Himself into our lives as repair. Let Him Shine and help fade away our fear..
Like Solomon had to put in the work set before Him, building a temple, we also have to put in our work. Remember, God’s got this. Fear Not.
(I will make ONE prediction for tomorrow: I bet this theme of the week will continue!)
Amen
—-
David said to Solomon his son, 1 Chronicles 28:20 “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”
—-
Psalm 27. Of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
—-
Jesus said (in Matthew 6:25-27, 34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? CAN ANY ONE OF YOU BY WORRYING ADD A SINGLE HOUR TO YOUR LIFE?
…
THEREFORE DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, FOR TOMORROW WILL WORRY ABOUT ITSELF. EACH DAY HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE OF ITS OWN.