Daily Thoughts: Hebrews 13:6

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Who Shall I Fear

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“. . so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"" – Hebrews 13:6

The reality of life is the fact that at some point it will end. Most people do not want to think about this, as it tends to be quite a depressing and fearful thought. Yet, some look at this point in the lifecycle as a significant passing event and an entry into a new chapter in life. A chapter that is mysterious, unknown and uncertain; but at the same time an exciting entry into an existence beyond the pain, the worry, the fear and the sin of this world.

Death is the one thing that every one of us have in common. In life, we are constantly looking for change, for improvement and fulfillment to the unquenched yearning inside. The longing for something more than what we have fuels our desire to press on each day. But the realization that we don’t control the end point creates this fear in most people. Traditionally this fear is grounded in the inability to see and accept that there is something greater on the other side of life. The sheer fact that people are fearful of death indicates humanities inability to fully accept that there is an incredible, un-imaginable presence with the Lord awaiting them after they have finished this race. We are drawn into the fear and emotion of leaving our loved ones, our life and the things we know to enter into something we cannot fathom or fully understand.

For if we truly sat back and thought about the overwhelming joy, love, peace and rest that awaits us once we have entered into His presence, there would be little fear in coming to the end. There would truly be nothing that any other person could inflict upon you or I that could remove or alter that desired state of being. For as Paul said in his letter to the Philippians (1:21) “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”, we can capture the proper state of being. While we walk this earth, our sole purpose is to live for Christ and represent Christ to every other person we meet. For, in knowing that upon death from this flesh and body, we are brought into the presence of God Almighty and given the joy of walking with Jesus Christ for eternity, nothing in this world should be feared.

Even Mark Twain said it in his most Southern charmful way, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Perhaps many of us are afraid of death simply because we haven’t fully lived the life we wanted to live. We realize that in living this life focused on our self, we leave nothing behind upon our death. The life that is lived serving, helping and giving back to others will carry on long after our death, and thus represents a life fully lived.

Christ walked this earth for a mere 33 years. His first 30 years (or so) were spent as any other Jewish man of His time. Studying the scrolls, the writings of the prophets, the teachings of Moses and Abraham. He was a carpenter by trade, following in the footsteps of His earthly father, Joseph. Then for 2 to 3 years, He demonstrated the presence of God Almighty to the world before He was crucified. His purpose had been defined and He accepted it, despite the knowledge that it would cost Him his very life. On the very night of His betrayal, He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane praying that there might be another way for God the provide salvation for mankind.

Do you think Jesus Christ feared what lied before Him? Perhaps His human existence came into play, knowing the unbelievable pain that lie before Him. Perhaps He saw the mutilation in His mind long before it ever took place. Perhaps, He knew what lie ahead of Him was the receiving of the wrath of His Father, through the hands of mankind, for the forgiveness of their very sinful nature. I don’t believe Jesus feared mankind that evening, I believe He very well knew the pain and suffering that He would have to endure so that you and I could be set free.

Jesus took it all so that you and I might stand firm before mankind knowing that our eternity is established. By His stripes, we are given redemption and the freedom to completely experience God’s love and grace. For the only thing left to fear, as death calls upon each of us, is the wrath of God for those who have refused His Son. The reality of fear in this life is captured in the uncertainty of knowing where you will stand on that final day of judgment. For those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we will enter into death with joy, thanksgiving and peace in knowing our eternal life will be spent praising and worshiping our King, our Heavenly Father and Lord.

There is nothing that man can do to me that will remove this end state from my being. Today I challenge you to think about your life and your death. Are you certain without a doubt that you are living for the King today, and that should your life end tomorrow, your eternity is sealed in His presence? If not, please set this right today, so you too might live without fear. Be blessed.

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

My Help Comes From the Lord

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“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13

“I’ve really done it this time. There is no way to make this one go away and I’m quite certain I’ll hear about it as soon as I get home. How could I have let it get out of hand, and how am I going to explain it to them.” We’ve all been there at one point or another. You have done something or let something happen that will cause major problems at home. Perhaps an accident, perhaps a lost job, perhaps an affair, perhaps you’ve spent the savings or perhaps there is an addiction. Whatever the circumstance, I’m sure there have been times when you’ve had to ask – “How will I explain this.”

You’re not alone. Mankind is inherently prone to making mistakes. Some are small and some are huge, but each of them will require an act of admitting it and then finding some level of corrective action. Have you ever been in that position where you have no idea how something can be corrected though? I have, more than once. These times often represent your trek back to the word and throne of God Almighty. As much as it hurts me to say, we often don’t turn to God until these times, which is highly unfortunate and often why we get into the situation in the first place. After we’ve researched all of our knowledge base and experiences we then look to God for help. He wants to be so much more than that though.

God loves you more than you can ever measure and in that love, He has a deep compassion to abide with you and through you. It is my belief that He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within you to help you through life’s decisions and problems, not only when you are stuck, but proceeding the events that cause the problems. A counselor (John 14:16), a comforter, a helper in times of need, and one who convicts us of our unrighteousness. Seeking the counsel of the Holy Spirit daily will lead you to better decisions, in line with the plans of God the Father. For when we seek Him, we will find Him; and if we are willing to listen and hear His counsel, He will straighten our paths and lead us safely along life’s journey. In Hebrews 13:6, Paul writes “so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"” This becomes our mandate, our strength to overcome those things we fear in life. Accept this, and pursue God’s help to get through the situations you have found yourself in, but also seek His counsel to avoid those situations in the future.