Perhaps it may turn out a sang,
Perhaps turn out a sermon.

-- R. Burns Epistle to a Young Friend

Friday, December 12, 2014

Love and Fear



Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!  Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.  He will come and save you.” – Isaiah 35:3-4


We operate on a continuum with two poles.  A lot of the time, we Christians will say those poles are fear and faith.  So we will say to our fearful and anxious friends – or to my fearful and anxious self – Have faith in God.  I think, though, we can be fooled by the neat alliteration.  Perhaps the other pole -- the non-fear pole, is really love.  When we read those two verses above, we know we ought to buck up and be strong.  Why?  Because God will come and save us.  And why would God do a thing like that?  Because He loves us.

If you look at most of humanity for most of history, it’s not a very pretty picture.  I am fairly convinced of the depravity of human nature.  There’s more proof of it every day.  There are wars and rumors of wars, disasters, oppression, and disease -- it seems, on every side.  Some will say we are surrounded by the wicked. 

I’m reminded of that passage we’ve talked about in 2 Kings 6 where we read of Elisha’s servant terrified by the horses and chariots of the Syrians which had surrounded the city.  Elisha prays that his servant’s eyes be opened, and the man sees that it is really the Syrian army that is surrounded by the Lord’s host – a “…mountain full of horses and chariots of fire …” protecting the man of God. 

Elisha had faith because he knew the love of God.  I was thinking about betrayal and traitors and unfaithfulness last night.  I do not have many good qualities.  I have maybe one:  I am loyal.  I will not turn my back on a friend, even if it means both of us get the crap pounded out of us.  Dante tells us that the deepest circle of hell is reserved for the traitor.  In other words, that is the farthest you can get from God.  So the one Person who will never fail you is God. 

As much as God hates betrayal, so much He loves the traitor.  Right there in the garden when Judas betrayed his Lord with a kiss, Jesus yet called him “friend”.  He would have forgiven Judas the same as He did the rest who fled, and Peter who, in fear, denied Him.  The love of God knows no bounds, and this is the reason we can be strong and be not afraid.  This is the reason we can have faith regardless of the terrors that array themselves against us.  This is the reason we must have faith.        


There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.  (1 John 4:18-19)

16 comments:

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

I’m reminded of that passage we’ve talked about in 2 Kings 6 where we read of Elisha’s servant terrified by the horses and chariots of the Syrians which had surrounded the city. Elisha prays that his servant’s eyes be opened, and the man sees that it is really the Syrian army that is surrounded by the Lord’s host – a “…mountain full of horses and chariots of fire …” protecting the man of God. "

I wonder if Elisha also said "we got them right where we want them." :)
That was an irresistable moment to say that.
Outstanding post, my friend!

Also, thanks to you and John for providing that link to Father Stephen's excellent post yesterday.
The comments there were also quite good, as Father Stephen answered all the questions (even some rather annoying ones).
I like how he touched on virtues, and of course, said that all virtues come from Christ Jesus.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

I think it's crucial to gno that our pursuits go be virtuous do not come from us but by the grace of God.
Our part is to realize that and willingly accept it, because there's no way we can do that and transcend ourselves on our own.


USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

To be, and go be, ha ha!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

God is loyal go us so we can be loyal to Him and to those we love.

I hadta chuckle when you mentioned being loyal even in the face of a beatdown because I have been in situations like that.

We got 'em right where we want them, LOL. Ouch.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Even when I was a prodigal son God had my back. There's no other explanation for me getting through impossible odds relatively unscathed.
I thought for sure I was a goner on several occasions, but I was loyal enough, or stupid enough to stand fast and God did the rest.

It's so clear now, thank God!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Aye, I recall one rumble in the jungle that involved a butterfly knife and the guy attacking me knew how to use it.
I felt like Jack Burton in that airport scene. :)
Spoiler: I lived. :)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

I can't recall if I told that story, do you Mushroom?

mushroom said...

No, that sounds like a great story. A butterfly knife -- I hope it wasn't in the Philippines -- but I guess since you survived it was OK.

mushroom said...

Got 'em right where we want 'em -- I love that Britishism that the Edward and Peter use in "Prince Caspian" -- I had it sorted.

We've got these Syrians sorted.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Yes, it was in the Phillippines. Great, now I got a story.

I love the Narnia series. The films weren't as good as the books but they weren't bad either.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks for the inspiration to the reminiscing, Mush.
If it weren't for this post I wouldn't have thought of that story.

julie said...

Ben, I bet that tale would make for a good blog post...

mushroom said...

Happy to be of service, and now we are all looking forward to one of your outstanding narrations.

John Lien said...

Dante tells us that the deepest circle of hell is reserved for the traitor. In other words, that is the farthest you can get from God. So the one Person who will never fail you is God.

Hmmmm, never thunk on that. I think you are right. Betrayal may be the worst of the worst.

Spoiler: I lived. :)

LOL!


Ben, I too would like to hear this Thrilla in Manilla.

(Geez, the coyotes are howling again! It's like I'm living in Transylvania.)

mushroom said...

That's one those things you write and have to stop and think about.

Anonymous said...

Betrayal, then changing the mind, but that is too late.
That is fresh hell. Sacrifice, no choice, no one cares to do much but throw stuff, and stay away. That is older.

Fear and hysteria are children of that. Welcome to your species. As it were.