Fear Not
"Fear not?" Just about now the question is probably being asked if this title is intended to be ironic or sarcastic. "Fear not," when from all economic/financial appearances, we have just about overrun President Roosevelt's admonition about the only thing having to fear is "fear itself?" "Fear" is stalking us from the boardroom, where the bigwigs are deciding how many to lay off, to the bedroom where a depressed husband, who got that infamous pink slip, is being comforted by his equally distraught wife, as she mentally calculates how the bills are going to be handled.
The world is being brought to its knees by a financial plague that threatens to be worse than the famine that threatened Egypt and the rest of the ancient world, when Joseph, blessed by God, worked out a financial and food distribution system that saved practically the entire world as it stood then.
Do we have a Joseph with such perspicacity, authority and Heavenly approval? No we do not. We have very mortal men rendered myopic by their own personal political ambitions, goals, and agendas, looking to force a solution upon us all, which children born in the 22nd century will probably "inherit." Some inheritance. While we look to "stimulate" the present economy by throwing money at folks who do not even ask to have money thrown at them, and borrowing this country into post Roman Empire status, our progeny will be digging out from under the pile of "stimulation."
"You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma" has become my ode to the American Taxpayer. My version becomes "You're the Reason God Made the US." God allowed this country to be founded by stalwart, faith-filled men, contrary to any historical revisions that are disseminated in order to subjugate you and engender fear. This country flourished because of its Judeo-Christian traditions. Should it wither and die, it will be because those roots have been malnourished. Fear not. There is a solution to hold back the tide of fear.
We may not have a present day Joseph, but we have an ever-present and everlasting God. He will see us through. This morning as I read Psalm 37, I realized that I have the answer to my personal reason not to fear, but to trust. As I hear the stories of layoffs, financial loss, and the human toll, I find solace in listening to real "roots" music, country and western, watching reenactments of the heroics the brave men and women who protect us, re-reading the history of the men who founded a country against overwhelming odds, and acknowledging the Source of this all, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Psalm 37
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
"Trust" and "do good," both sometimes appear to be near impossible to maintain. When momentary lapses occur, you remind yourself Whom you serve, and you get back on track, secure in the belief that a loving and gracious God is a forgiving God.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Remember:
Romans 12:20
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
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