There is much in the world today which could fill the saint of God with fear in their hearts. We are cautioned and encouraged in the word of God, in many places, not to fear, but that we have the high tower of God, and can run to Him for refuge. Whether it is Y2K, an earthquake, a flood, or even the coming of the Anti-Christ, and the falling away of the elect, we have NOTHING to fear.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowlers snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, or the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you." Ps. 91:1-7
Not the fear that stalks at night; whether it is finances, a relationship, or even an attack from the enemy, He will cover you with His wings. He is faithful, and running to Him, is safer than any type of refuge to be found on this earth. It doesnt matter; whether the mountains quake, or even if the earth would fall away, He will continue to be our refuge and strength. We have witnessed many natural disasters over the last several years. From hurricanes, to earthquakes, to innumerable other types of catastrophes, we are bombarded with scenes of children crying, bodies burned, and homes and communities left in ruins. I am not unaware of the fact that much of what we see is a result of the "birth pangs" which are part of the process of judgment coming upon this nation and world. I know of the result of mans continual sin and abandonment of the gospel, and his unwillingness to bow and give reference to an Almighty God. I do however, also know that those who have given their hearts to God, and have made a decision to follow Him, are also bombarded with the images, which could cause them to fear and could cause consternation.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. " Ps. 46:1-3.
So, again, NOTHING that we see or hear, should prevent us from trusting Him, and knowing that He will deliver us from the present troubles which have plagued this present age.
We are perhaps not aware of the fact, because we are so focused on what is happening to us at the time, and in the world, at the present. I believe that it bears mentioning though, and is important for us to focus on the eternal, rather than, upon temporary, or transitory distress and troubles. Remember Romans 8:18-21:
"I consider that our PRESENT sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."
So, even creation . Even the present world that we live in will be liberated! Amazing it will be given a new body as well.
We need not be afraid of man, nor of what he may be able to do to us. Rather, we should:
"Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Luke 12:5
But not the fear that would be unable to approach Him, nor to present our requests to Him. For He was tempted in every way that we have been, but did not give into fear or sin. We have a high priest that understands our weaknesses, and is able then, to have offered himself as a willing sacrifice to us for our sins and yes, our fears.
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb. 4:15-16
In conclusion, even our very spirits, how we are created by our Father, should bear witness to the evidence of this concept as well.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, (fear) but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." II Tim 1:7
We will continue to be bombarded with these things in the media, and various articles. We will hear things spoken and written prophetically and preached concerning the issues that afflict us because of sin. We however, do NOT need to give into fear, but rather, we can act and show through our lives and as a witness to those around us, that we are children of the King. If we are sons and daughters of the King, then we need to remember that we "did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ABBA, FATHER. Rom. 8:15