No Matter What!

Saadi [a Persian poet (1184-1283) who lived during the medieval period] stated, "I fear God, and next to God I chiefly fear him who fears Him not." Certainly God is to be the recipient of our reverential fear. Acknowledging His power and righteousness in judgment, His abiding Will is to be duly noted and walked in. However, we can probably understand that sense of also fearing those who do not fear God because of the wickedness they can seem to be set on doing. The presence of evil in this world can drastically impact our life. It can also cause us to wonder if God is really in control.

Being able to trust God NO MATTER WHAT is a sign of growing faith in Him. It is true we may not understand why He allows some things to happen, but ultimately He is in control and all are accountable to Him.

David had many challenges in life, but his TRUSTING FOCUS always eventually ended up turning toward God. Therefore David wrote. . .

"(10) In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, (11) in God I trust; I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?" ( Psalm 56:10-11 ESV)

Later in the psalms we again read . . .
"(6) The LORD is on my side; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME? (7) The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me." ( Psalm 118:6-7 ESV)

As the writer of Hebrews was encouraging his readers going through challenging times, he seems to have quoted from psalm 118. (see Hebrews 13:6) Being able to TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT was the kind of faith we see in Daniel's friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (usually remembered by their Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) when they faced the fiery furnace after refusing to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. ( Daniel 3:16-18)

Jesus exhorted. . .
"(4) I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. (5) but I will warn you whom to fear: FEAR HIM WHO, after he has killed, HAS AUTHORITY TO CAST INTO HELL. Yes, I tell you, FEAR HIM!" ( Luke 12:4-5 ESV)

Jesus then went on to encourage regarding God's mindfulness of each one of us individually. ( Luke 12:6-7) There is, in reality, only so much man can do to us. Our body can be struck out against and even our life can be taken, but God is the One Who has the power over our ETERNAL DESTINY. May we duly REVERENCE HIM as we trustingly seek to live according to His purposes in this life. In so doing we will receive the ultimate purpose He has in mind for us; spending an eternity in His glorious presence.

Have a great day GROWING IN TRUSTING FAITH!
Carl

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