For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
—2 Timothy 1:7
The Place of Fear
Today is another anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. I do not wish to rehash the day, though I do wish to honor those affected. I went through some of my notes and pulled some of the quotes and notes regarding the place of fear (terror) in a Christian's life. We also remember that this year was not without terror, as we also suffered the
Boston Bombings.
What we should do about it
We must do the things that honor the Lord. If we fear Him, then we will do the things that honor the Lord.
—Walter Stanley
Dr. Gary Cohen preached on the Tetrapharmacos
The Tetrapharmacos is the Stoic Philosophy on what not to fear (be afraid/in terror of).
- The gods
- Pain
- Death
- Man
Genesis 32:9-12—Jacob Prays
- Rest in a Gods truer promise.
- Ask for deliverance.
- Fears laid before God.
- Remember future promises.
Conclusion
In the end, the God we serve is simultaneously a God of Wrath and a God of Love. We have reason to be afraid, yet we have reason to be confident. I leave this post to the verses of a well known hymn at my assembly:
Our times are in Thy hand;
O God, we wish them there;
Our lives, our souls, our all, we leave
Entirely to Thy care.
Our times are in Thy hand:
Whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.
Our times are in Thy hand;
Why should we doubt or fear?
A father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.
Our times are in Thy hand;
Jesus, the Crucified,
Whose hand our many sins have pierced,
Is now our guard and guide.
Our times are in Thy hand;
We’ll always trust to Thee,
Till we possess the promised crown,
And all Thy glory see.
Source: Hymnal.net
