Life Not Dominated by Fear
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 51:7-16
“Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretches out the heavens … ?”
—Isaiah 51:12-13
Recently in several parts of the world, militant atheism has received a lot of coverage in the media. It tries to give the impression of being defiantly courageous.
But reality tends to be just the opposite. Life lived without God, or with only passing reference to God, is usually dominated by a fear of people and what they can do. And life dominated by fear is crippled.
Take a few steps back from the bluster and threat of the people whom you fear, and listen to the words of Isaiah 51, which calls to us with compelling logic: “Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?”
Those who know that God loves his creatures, who have taken refuge in Christ, being saved through his death on the cross, should always remember the words of Psalm 91:1-4: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty… He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge …”
O Lord our Maker, give us courage in the midst of fearful situations in life. May we, like Jesus, not flinch, but forge ahead with joy, in your love. Amen.
About the author — George Young
George Young, a native New Yorker, worked as a taxi driver in New York City before studying to become a pastor. Then he, his wife Ruth, and their children were missionaries for many years in northeastern Japan. They worked with ministers and believers from the Reformed Church in Japan to spread the good news of salvation in Christ and establish new churches. Now George and Ruth are retired and live in the northeastern United States, nearer to their children and grandchildren.
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