“Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded: for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.” Isaiah 54:4
Dear Ones:
The opposite to the attitude of fear, is that of faith. The Apostle John writes: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 Jn. 4:18) Why not then speak of love first, rather than of faith? Because faith is the great essential if we would KNOW the love of God. Love is faith’s greatest expression. John goes on to say that “Fear hath torment,” but that “…we love Him because He FIRST loved us.” (v.19) The call of God is to reject, and renounce, ALL fear. The basis for this rejection, is revealed in another wonderful verse in Isaiah: “Fear thou not; FOR I AM WITH THEE: be not dismayed; FOR I AM THY GOD: I will strengthen thee; yes, I will help thee; yes, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” (Is. 41:10) In this verse are five wonderful promises, specific promises of God’s ACTIVE presence. “I am with thee…I am Thy God…I will strengthen thee…I will help thee…I will uphold thee.” To embrace the Lord by prayer and faith, taking the Lord at His word, is to turn away from fear, to faith in the faithfulness of God, to be and to do, exactly what He has declared.
There are always repercussions and effects to our attitudes. For that of fear, there is torment, the pernicious uncertainty of the care and provision of God. With regard to faith, there is the assurance of the Lord’s certain presence, along with the promise of His strength, help, and keeping. Also, with regard to faith, God deals with shame and confusion. He deals categorically and fully, with the remembrance of the past’s lost opportunities and failures, but also, the fruitlessness of wasted years. In one of the great hymns of Dohnavur, this matter is so very clearly, and graciously put:
“A great way off, and lo, the Father saw him, For keen the eyes that grief has washed with tears: the son knew not that cords of love would draw him, from out the tangled snare of wasted years.”
Dear Father, gracious Father, give us to see and understand with great clarity and conviction, the greatness of Thyself in Thy promises. Enable us to grasp these promises, with regard to every effect that You desire to realize in our hearts. And give us an ever-increasing heart of thanksgiving and praise for the reality of Your intervention in our lives, and in those for whom we pray and serve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad