Yesterday afternoon we had friends stop by for a visit. It was so good to see them, we always enjoy our time with them.
Somewhere in the conversation we began to talk about hurricanes and tornadoes and the fierce winds that come with them. This morning that conversation ties in with my Bible reading.
“When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a windstorm.
3 Then the Lord said to me: Take your son Shearjashub and go see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers’ shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool. 4 Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There’s no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn’t need to fear” Isaiah 7:2-4 CEV
I’ve seen those trees shake in the wind. And there are times when I have felt fear that has shaken me to my very core. I know, you have too!
There are no words to express the sense of relief and comfort that come from hearing the Lord’s voice say “Stop worrying, there’s no need to fear”.
I struggled for years with fear. Fear of unknown circumstances, fear of people’s opinions, fear of failure. I remember being on a camping trip and we were warned of bears in the area – that brought a whole new kind of fear.
Fear can be immobilizing.
“ Late in the afternoon, when the breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. So they hid behind some trees…10 The man answered, ‘I was naked, and when I heard you walking through the garden, I was frightened and hid!'” Genesis 3:8&10 CEV
Fear was one of the first emotions that Adam and Eve experienced in the garden after they sinned. The first was shame followed by fear. Fear has been used by the devil for a very long time.
Ever since that time, God has been saying to mankind “Do not fear”! I know I have told you this before but it bears repeating, Bible scholars tell us that there are approximately 365 verses that tell us not to fear or to be worried.
God wants us to live a worry-free life. He wants us to face our fears and say like King David said:
“The Lord is my light and the One Who saves me. Whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom should I be afraid? 2 When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell. 3 Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.” Psalm 27:1-3 NLV
When we see trees blown by the wind let it serve as a reminder to us. Stop worrying, do not be afraid.