Turning Fear into Fear

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10)

Three times this is stated in the scriptures!   When life's monsters loom in front of us, it is easy to become afraid.  Let us turn the scared type of fear into the scriptural type of fear: respect for the Lord. As we do this, our inner human fears can be replaced with godly fear:  confidence in the One who is stronger than the monsters.

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The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? [Psalm 118:6]

The Angel of His Presence

In all their distress he too was distressed,and the angel of his presence saved them. (Isaiah 63:9)

There are times when we feel distressed.  How comforting to know that God, in his love, is distressed with us.  He sends us the angel of His presence.  I know not whether it is a heavenly angel that emanates the presence of the Lord, or whether it is the Lord himself who's presence is angelic.  Either way, how beautiful to know that we have the angel of His presence.

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Surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.  [Isaiah 53:4]

Sowing Tears, Reaping Joy

"He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed, shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him."  (Psalm 126:7)

Relational conflict, particularly with a spouse, can cause us to weep.  Within our pain, anger and frustration, we must be careful to sow good attitutes, actions and words of peace and kindness.  This will produce future joy in that same relationship and bring much good fruit from our own personal tree of life.

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They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [Psalm 126:6]

Becoming Agape

Remember this well-known exchange from John 21?
 
"Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs."

He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep."

When Jesus said love, he used the Greek word agape, meaning selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.  When Peter said love, he used the Greek word phileo, meaning benevolent, kindly love that is found in friendship.

Peter may have started as a phileo lover of Jesus, but he eventually became an agape lover of Jesus.  Tradition tells us that he was crucified upside down as a martyr for Jesus Christ.

Likewise, one may start out as a phileo and eros (physical) lover of one's spouse, but can grow to be an agape lover.  Christ brings about that change as we stay in close communion with Him.  He did it for Peter.  He can do it for us.

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For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till he comes. 
[I Corinthians 11:26]

Downward Spiral

Scenario:  She feels hurt about something that has happened.  When she tells him about it, he gets angry and defensive which makes her feel more hurt.   To protect herself, she decides not to tell him how she feels in the future, creating emotional distance.  He throws up his hands in frustration, "She's never happy," and turns his back, creating emotional distance. It's a cycle that only can be broken by stepping aside from the downward spiral and looking up to God.

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I was in misery and he helped me. [Psalm 116:6]

Look Up

We try our best, but sometimes it's not good enough.  We feel down.  "The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14)

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found; 
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
 Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856-1926)

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The LORD raiseth them that are bowed down.  [Psalm 146:8]

Scripture, Not Spinach

Remember the cartoon of Popeye the Sailor Man?  Whenever he needed energy, he would eat spinach and, "Voila," he had all the energy he needed. Perhaps the same can be true for us if we are walking in the will of God and, instead of spinach, we ingest scripture.

Today there was an event for which I've been preparing for three days.  I was apprehensive about my energy level -  to make it through this last full day and then be "on" for the event itself.  On my bathroom counter is a scrap of paper reading these words:  "Thy God hath sent forth strength for thee." (Psalm 68:28)  Every time, upon seeing those workds in the last  48 hours, I would pray for strength.

The event is over; it is late at night, and I am not completely wrung out and exhausted.  My God sent forth strength for me, in part by sustaining me physically and in part by the help of beautiful friends and family who stood beside me and helped with the needed tasks. 


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Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. [Psalm 105:4]