Stand By Me

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.  -- Revelation 21:8

That’s Jesus Himself talking.  None of it is really surprising, is it?  Maybe just a little – the cowardly, the fearful, those who lack courage, we get the same condemnation as the overtly wicked, the egregiously iniquitous.  That can’t be right.  I’m just cautious, a little circumspect.  There’s no sense in going around looking for trouble, no sense in being the nail that stands up and gets whacked extra hard. 

The fearful and the unbelieving, they are almost one and the same.  I am fearful because I am taking the wrong thing too seriously and not taking the right thing – the Right One seriously enough.  Why can I not say with the psalmist:  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.  What can man do to me? Or, … in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.  What can man do to me?

Faith looks only at God.  Fear can’t look away from the circumstances.  I fear death and pain, loss and failure, humiliation and mockery – all because I cannot bring myself to trust, completely, who God is, what He has done, and what He has said.  This is the case despite having seen Him be faithful time after time after time, despite knowing that He went to the cross for my sake, despite hearing His solemn promise to never leave or forsake me. 

In the coming year there will be lots of opportunities for us to be fearful.  But that also means there will be lots of opportunities for us to trust in and lean upon the Lord and His truth and grace.  Fear not, God says.   Courage really has nothing to do with feelings.  We may feel like we want to turn back, run and hide.  We are not cowards because we feel like throwing down our weapons and taking to our heels, only if we act on those feelings.

We are going to need to stand fast in the next few years.  Sometimes we may feel foolish for following God, but in the end, our courage will make us more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.  If we break and run, it leaves our brothers and sisters more vulnerable.  The shield I bear is a crucial part of the wall, the barrier that checks the onslaughts of the enemy. 

Back in Ezekiel 22:30, God seems to be talking about that kind of situation.  The wall had breached.  A defender was needed but none could be found:   And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

A nation was broken up and sent into exile because no one had the courage to hold the line against evil and unrighteousness.  No one was willing to denounce the abominations and atrocities taking place.  No one fell on his knees and cried out to the Lord in agony over the sins of himself and his people. 

The battles that we face will not be fought and could not be won with machine guns, tanks, and bombs.  No, … the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  … (Ephesians 6:11-16).

The shield of faith is not just for each individually.  The shield wall will protect us all so long as each one stands his or her ground and keeps facing the enemy.  Turn your back to the adversary, and you become vulnerable. 

Dark days may well lie ahead for us as a nation.  Certainly we will all face challenges of one sort or another in the next twelve months. 

Fear not.