One of the problems with focusing on the world outside us is, in doing such, we fail to see the world creeping into us – into our hearts and souls. However, if we focus, alternately, on God living in us, then we will witness God seeping into the world around us. Herein, rests peace through the most turbulent of times – our here and now!!! “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Maybe, I’m reading it all wrong, but wherever my eyes glance, I see good Christian people questioning not only what religious freedom might look like tomorrow, but also, if, in the not too distant future, our religious freedom will even remain. In honesty, I can’t mentally answer this question for either you or me. However, my spiritual reply is that maybe we are asking the wrong question. Shouldn’t we be wondering, why are we letting worldly fear creep into our faith, and why are we not letting our faith seep into our worldly fear?
In no way am I suggesting religious freedom is not under attack. It, most certainly, is. But, what I am saying is that if we are going to cower, let’s cower in awe of God’s power defending us and not crouch down in fear of evil overcoming us. Evil advances when we fear. Evil retreats, and loses its foothold, when we hold fast to God’s, not our, power. Let’s stop fearing we, human beings, are losing a battle. Instead, let’s start confidently knowing our God, ultimately, wins all wars. In so doing, we are not letting our guard down but, rather, raising up and praising Him whose guard we are under.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 