Cancel fear

May 5, 2021 (Wednesday)

 

Peace. It’s something hippies, politicians, and writers wish for in a deadly and violent world. One strategy to maintain peace is to instill fear. Don’t believe me, it’s what the “erase culture” people are doing. Create fear of them… thus creating their version of utopia.

 

Jesus had a different take. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” [John 14:27 ESV] The peace of God is different than the world can offer. Fear inspired peace is no peace at all. Creating a common enemy (real or imagined) is not peace. Controlling how people think is not peace.

 

Peace is a gift from God. Paul noted, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:17 NLT] Peace is not something we find, no matter how hard we search or strive for it. Peace belongs to God, and God gives HIS peace.

 

There is a caveat to this verse, it’s actually found in verse 16. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” [Philippians 4:16 NLT] Get it. We must first learn to stop worrying. Wait, isn’t that the definition of peace? Nope.

 

Not worrying is a discipline. Listen to Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” [NLT] If you are talking, you are not listening. If you are able to still yourself, then you will listen, learn, and know.

 

Isaiah advised, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” [Isaiah 26:3 ESV] There it is. The real issue we are NOT at peace is we do NOT trust God. Again the challenge is to have the “mind stayed” on God.

 

Three part sermon alert! First, don’t worry. Second, be still. Third, keep our mind fixed on God. Maye it’s kind of like Peter when he was walking on the water. Taking his eyes off Jesus, he looked at the storm and sank.

 

I’m not going to mislead you. These disciplines go against every nerve in the human existence. They cut against our conditioning. They are contrary to our culture. Stop. Take a deep breath. Read on. Fear is a distraction, that’s all. Fear creates anxiety (long lasting) and worry (short term) by showing us the storm. Fear screams to us “DO SOMETHING!!!” Fear shows you the storm so you take your eyes off Jesus.

 

Meanwhile, our loving Heavenly Father cries. Watching us throw ourselves and our world into turmoil. We fail on one basic idea, we fail to trust God. How many of us say we trust God for our salvation? Which kind of “trust” is it? They why do we worry?

 

 Both peace AND righteousness belong to God. Paul claimed, “It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith.” [Philippians 3:9c CEB] If we can’t trust (have faith in) God for something simple, like walking on water, how can we trust Him for our righteousness (salvation)?