From Fear to Function
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Hey all! I miss gathering with our church family and seeing each of you in person. I’m sure we all look forward to when that day returns! I know it’s a scary time right now as sickness and death lurk in the news, as livelihoods and lifestyles have been thrown into question. We will be tempted to hide and look only to selfish interests, but God is calling His church to hope in Him and serve His interests. I admit that I’ve been afraid at times as days have gone by and things have progressed with this deadly virus. But thanks be to God that He does not leave me in my fear! As He reminds me of His presence and promises, I’m compelled to trust Him more and make the welfare of others a high priority. How does God work to renew and activate my faith in a time like this? By the blessing of His Holy and Enduring Word through Scripture, by His Holy Spirit guiding me in prayer and action, by spiritual brothers and sisters that witness Jesus and spur me on to the same, and by overwhelming circumstances that reveal and refine what I really believe and trust about Jesus. May none of these things be wasted in our lives today for He is faithful forever!
Last week’s passage showed us Saul in hiding when he should’ve been standing tall. This week we see king Saul lead God’s people to an unexpected victory over a territorial enemy. Our God and King, Yahweh is mighty to save and redeem His people. Between those two moments, the LORD works out so many details for Saul that bolster his confidence and faith. He takes a man afraid and makes him a man of valor and victory. What a word for us today! If the LORD can do that for Saul then how much more does He do that now for His adopted children and royal priesthood! We are no longer bound to be slaves to fear! We are no longer under the curse and condemnation of sin! Death has lost its sting because of the promise we have in Jesus and His resurrection! The enemy is overcome by the testimony of the saints! While others walk afraid for what can be lost in the moment, we are called to live in light of eternity, sharing the hope that we have in Jesus as God’s Son and setting our mind on things above while not settling for anything less than satisfaction in Christ alone!
There is so much we can glean from God’s Word, and it’s crucial at all times, but especially when we are doubting and vulnerable to the schemes of our spiritual enemy. Satan masquerades as an angel of light and seeks to shut us down from sharing a witness about our Gracious Heavenly Father and Almighty King. We must remember - Jesus is the light of the world and in His presence the darkness flees! Now is not the time to be silent but to share and live as followers of the Way – Jesus’ Way. Fear paralyzes, but faith in Jesus sets us free to function as God has destined for His church. Fear haunts, but we can find respite in the promises of God fulfilled through Christ. Fear comes when we feel alone, but Jesus promised His presence and makes His followers a part of a spiritual family that will prevail in His name. Let us draw close to God through His Word and ask His Spirit to rush upon us as it did for Saul in those moments that led him and the people to salvation from the Ammonites. Let us also find ways to rejoice together in what we’ve seen the LORD doing.
Today, especially, we need His Word and Spirit to save us from our own sin and the despair that comes from it. We need to pray with and hear from spiritual family so that our hopes and passions can be continually renewed and refreshed in the ministry of the gospel. It looks different in how we deal but it’s the same in how the LORD helps and reigns supreme. The Enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that we could have life that is abundant in the hope and blessing of His covenant with us through Christ Jesus. May we as a church body look to Jesus as our KING in this time and may we follow along with Him and obey His promptings to love people as He has loved us. I pray for you. Please pray for me that the world will know the love of Jesus by what they witness from Christ-followers at this moment.
Grateful and hopeful in Christ,
Jon