Facing the Bear…
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will
help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness (Isa 41:10).
The sun is good ointment – I once visited a man who was sitting on his back steps in the sun on a cool morning. The air was still and he was just sitting there. He had been injured and had removed the bandages and clothing that covered his wounds to allow the sun to do its work. He had not expected anyone to walk around his house to visit him at that hour nor to catch him sunning his wounds.
He kept right on sunning and told me how good it felt to be warmed by the sun. Hospitals use heat lamps to promote the healing of wounds. I have warmed myself many times by the words of Isaiah. In fact, there are many verses in the Bible that have awesome power to steady the mind and still the soul.
Much of the world lives in fear. It’s not just the bear in the woods that strikes fear but also our tendency toward panic. The bear may not be hungry but in our minds all bears are hungry. David and his sling, the bear, and God is still one of the best stories (1Sam.17:37).
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. (1Sa 17:37)
The Word of God and prayer are good ointment and will help us at bear time. It will help us to understand how we can expect the Lord to be our shelter and protector. I have met a few people who had learned to turn things over to the Lord and live in peace. Most of the world does not live in peace. Unbelief generates fear. When we don’t believe God is around, we resort to the best we can do and that generates fear. The best we can do is sometimes not enough. I know this because I fight the same battles if the bear is a little bigger than usual.
In the verse above, we are urged not to fear because five times God himself is going to do something. Twice He says “I am.” Three times He says, “I will.” It’s not about our being self-sufficient. Depending on God is a radical idea. If you want the strength from God’s word, you will have to take the time to dwell on it. It is not a fast hamburger. Let it simmer. God will do what He says He will do. But, we must do our part and embrace the Word of God as our under-garment that no one can see. He is our flak jacket.
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psa 56:2-3) These are great verses to write on cards and post around the house…the bathroom mirror….the computer. The best place to post verses like this is in the mind and heart. Quote it to yourself and tell the Lord you are depending on Him. “Lord, this is Fred: I’m afraid right now and I’ve decided to trust in you to take me through my fears and deliver me, O God.” Ω
`
Read Through the Bible in a Year
JUNE 2, 2017 – FRIDAY
A.M. 2Chron 7-9 P.M. John 13:1-17
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Memory Verse This Month:
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44)
Song for Today:
God of Our Fathers (1:50) (Gaither Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btN5_5TyLg4
(Wait several seconds. You may have to delete an ad.)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will
help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness (Isa 41:10).
The sun is good ointment – I once visited a man who was sitting on his back steps in the sun on a cool morning. The air was still and he was just sitting there. He had been injured and had removed the bandages and clothing that covered his wounds to allow the sun to do its work. He had not expected anyone to walk around his house to visit him at that hour nor to catch him sunning his wounds.
He kept right on sunning and told me how good it felt to be warmed by the sun. Hospitals use heat lamps to promote the healing of wounds. I have warmed myself many times by the words of Isaiah. In fact, there are many verses in the Bible that have awesome power to steady the mind and still the soul.
Much of the world lives in fear. It’s not just the bear in the woods that strikes fear but also our tendency toward panic. The bear may not be hungry but in our minds all bears are hungry. David and his sling, the bear, and God is still one of the best stories (1Sam.17:37).
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. (1Sa 17:37)
The Word of God and prayer are good ointment and will help us at bear time. It will help us to understand how we can expect the Lord to be our shelter and protector. I have met a few people who had learned to turn things over to the Lord and live in peace. Most of the world does not live in peace. Unbelief generates fear. When we don’t believe God is around, we resort to the best we can do and that generates fear. The best we can do is sometimes not enough. I know this because I fight the same battles if the bear is a little bigger than usual.
In the verse above, we are urged not to fear because five times God himself is going to do something. Twice He says “I am.” Three times He says, “I will.” It’s not about our being self-sufficient. Depending on God is a radical idea. If you want the strength from God’s word, you will have to take the time to dwell on it. It is not a fast hamburger. Let it simmer. God will do what He says He will do. But, we must do our part and embrace the Word of God as our under-garment that no one can see. He is our flak jacket.
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psa 56:2-3) These are great verses to write on cards and post around the house…the bathroom mirror….the computer. The best place to post verses like this is in the mind and heart. Quote it to yourself and tell the Lord you are depending on Him. “Lord, this is Fred: I’m afraid right now and I’ve decided to trust in you to take me through my fears and deliver me, O God.” Ω
`
Read Through the Bible in a Year
JUNE 2, 2017 – FRIDAY
A.M. 2Chron 7-9 P.M. John 13:1-17
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Memory Verse This Month:
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44)
Song for Today:
God of Our Fathers (1:50) (Gaither Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btN5_5TyLg4
(Wait several seconds. You may have to delete an ad.)
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