Good Morning Friends,
Perhaps you are plagued by some artificial anxieties…. some counterfeit concerns…some fabricated frights. If you are, part of the problem might be you have not let God open your eyes to the true nature of the battle. Yes, there is oppression in the world and yes just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not out to get you but think with me for a moment and imagine that perhaps we can be fighting the wrong conflict. For sure our unity can be diminished by the forces in the world but maybe the real conquest is not what the world tells us. Maybe the challenge of courage is not external at all. Maybe the first thing is to have the right strategy and focus that has a firm foundation that stems from the inside and that light that glows from within us. With that in mind today for those that need light in their lives we ask, Of Whom Shall We Be Afraid When Things Seem Darkest?
Scripture: But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Isaiah 9:1-4 (NRSV)
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 evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
Psalm 27:1-9 (NRSV)
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NRSV)
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:12-17 (NRSV)
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 (NRSV)
Message: Today we have scripture from today but also in addition the lectionary from a few years ago. One of the central themes of this scripture, though not always stated outright, is fear. Fear is a powerful emotion — it can grip us with an immobilizing terror. It can keep us from succeeding in life. Fear can steal our joy. Fear can take our courage and leave us shaking uncontrollably.
I think we all fear oppression and injustice. But to overcome oppression, I think one has to overcome fear first. It is not an easy task for history is filled with examples of the oppressed becoming oppressors who never stopped fearing. Two thousand years ago everybody looked toward Rome as the oppressors, and they were. But perhaps the focus was a bit misplaced. You have heard it said that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that is true for there is really nothing else for us to fear. And believe me, God does not want us to waste our lives needlessly fearing and you don’t want that either. But that does not stop us, does it? We fear all sorts of things. The thing is that everyone has a fear… You may have a fear of death, failure, defeat, rejection, or a host of other things. But friends, in time you will find that only God’s perfect love castes out all fear. Then we learn that there is something about being in the presence of someone who is stronger than we are, that soothes our fears and gives us the courage to love and be loved. Unless we have that, evil is sure to win out. When we love we are victors over our fears. Here Jesus is the Light that brings the dawn of understanding to the better way.
And So,
I think we should examine our lives to see if we are exhibiting the characteristics of a people of Light that is pleasing God but not get so legalistic about it to fail to enjoy life. And perhaps the first place to work on this is being who we are and knowing who we are and being ok with who we are to become. This is part of the goal of the Christian life. But it is also a goal to see if our spiritual labors are producing God-pleasing characteristics in the lives of others and practical results as we go night fishing in the deep waters of faith. That is what Jesus is getting at with the disciples. That is what Paul is praying for in the lives of the people of Corinth. Perhaps the first thing we are to realize is that we will be known by our fruit of the Spirit and by this, I mean love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But not everyone is patient and kind and gentle by nature. You see, true disciples of Christ bear fruit that glorifies God and helps others by us being a Light. And this means picking up our crosses, abiding in Christ and the Word in the times of places that have darkness. Here it helps if we live for Jesus sharing the love and forgiveness we have received. But it also means avoiding the fear and loathing that comes with the territory when we hate or are depressed. So, we are to evaluate our lives. We are to grow in the unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature spiritually but also spiritually unique for we each have a light to shine. And if we do, scripture suggest that we too will be strengthened in a way that God can use to improve the lives of others.
Pray we realize the spiritual nature of the battle. Pray we submit to God. Pray that we are cognizant of our emotions. Pray we experience the presence of God’s love on our lives. Pray we realize that when God is with us there is no reason to fear…when God is for us, no one can stand against us. Pray we remember our victories with God. Pray we not dwell on the fact we are smaller and weaker and outnumbered. Pray we realize that the Holy Spirit in us is greater than the evil in the world. Pray therefore we seek the Kingdom so that we be with God and actively seeking to love and be loved. Pray we grow in the love and light of Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 