By Larry Guido
It’s almost either/or for most people as one year ends and another begins. The optimist views the new year with great expectations and enthusiasm, happiness and hope, while the pessimist can’t wait until the old year ends - believing that things can only get worse. Then, there are those who fall somewhere in the middle: 2019 wasn’t all bad and it wasn't all good either, but that’s just the way life is! So, take it or leave it.
The 2019 December issue of Christianity Today reported a most significant fact in an article that provided insight into people's attitudes about life, in general, and their personal needs specifically. For the third year in a row, YouVersion users held fast to Scripture passages that provided insight against worry more than any other verses or topics in the Bible. Last year, 2019, YouVersion users read 35.6 billion chapters and listened to 5.6 billion chapters through its online and mobile app. In all of this reading and listening, Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6 was the most shared, highlighted, and bookmarked verse of the year: “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”
The “don’t worry” in this New Living Translation is translated “fear not” in many other translations. The word “fear” or a reference to “fear” appears over 500 times in the Bible, and in the Bible, we discover two distinct types of fear. The first type is “fear of the Lord” and is a beneficial fear and to be encouraged and developed in the life of the believer. It does not mean to be afraid of someone or something. Rather, this fear refers to reverential awe of God – a respect for His power and glory and majesty. However, it also includes a proper and wholesome respect for His anger. In other words, a fear of the Lord means that we, with an attitude of humility, acknowledge who God is and how He behaves. This understanding of God comes through knowing Him as He is represented in Scripture and through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of His Son.
This “fear” brings with it many blessings and benefits, including the beginning of useful, God-honoring wisdom and leads us to a “right way” of living and worshipping Him. Additionally, this “fear” of the Lord leads us to life, peace, satisfaction, fulfillment, purpose, and His presence. It also provides a sense of security and a place of safety. Perhaps, and except for the act of worship, is this not the role we could expect of our earthly father?
The second type of fear is not beneficial and refers to a “spirit of fear.” It brings with it an attitude of timidity and fearfulness, and Paul reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) We overcome this fear by a trust in and love for God, knowing and believing in the fact that we need not fear the things of this world that come against us and would appear to destroy us.
Paul writing in Philippians seems to echo the words of the Prophet Isaiah we find written in Isaiah 41:10: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand!”
This verse is a prescription for having a “good new year.” And, to have a “good new year” we must first honor the two “don’ts.” We read “Don’t be afraid and don’t be discouraged.” Fear and discouragement disturb our minds, trouble our souls, and eventually destroy our health. When problems engulf us, He wants to solve them. When needs arise, He wants to meet them. When foes would defeat us, He will conquer them. When storms appear, He will calm them. Only as we place our faith in the goodness and grace of God will our fears disappear and times of discouragement destroyed. When we “pray for what we need” and “give thanks for everything” we have the assurance that “all things work for the good of those who love God and are called by Him.” When we accept that verse, we are acknowledging the fact that His love for us, and our trust in Him removes and eliminates the anxiety that arises when our doubts about God’s purpose, power, and presence are disturbed when we do not understand what is occurring in our lives. So, accepting what is, is a great force in activating the “don’t fear” factor.
After we honor the two “don’ts” we need to add the two “I am’s.” “I am with you!” and “I am your God!” Our God is always with us, and we are never beyond His reach. The intensity of an unfounded fear is a great indicator of our closeness to and dependence on God. I enjoy telling stories of my dog “Bella” who “invaded” our home one dark, stormy, cold, rainy night. I opened the garage door at 3:00 a.m. and “felt” something nudging my ankle. When I looked down I discovered an abused puppy who looked up at me, wagged her tail and without saying one word informed me that she was “moving in.” The most interesting part of our friendship is what she has taught me about God. Bella is always as close to me as she can possibly get and is never beyond my shadow. At times it is frustrating and infuriating because I can never get away from her. Never. I am her “life support system.” And, that’s the way we are to be with God! Always as close as we can get, knowing that we are safe and secure and will be safe and secure, cared for and comforted, as long as we “stay close and trust.”
Third, we need to mix the “do not’s” and the “I ams” with the three “I wills.” God, through Isaiah, promised these “I wills.” I will strengthen you! – He has all the strength we will ever need – with some to spare. I will help you. Here is a help that is seeking us and is sufficient for every situation. And, I will uphold you. But with what? The very same hands that hold the universe together!
If we want 2020 to be a “good new year” we must begin every day of every week of every month believing that we have nothing to fear because God is with us, will strengthen, help, and hold us tightly in His victorious right hand!
January 2020
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