We Have Nothing to Fear but…

 

“Do not fear, O Jacob My servant,” says the Lord, “For I am with you;
For I will make a complete end of all the nations to which I have driven you,
But I will not make a complete end of you. I will rightly correct you,
For I will not leave you wholly unpunished.” – Jeremiah 46:28

 In 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke in his second inaugural address and said the famous words “We have nothing to fear but fear itself”.  It was in a time of great depression in our country.  The Nazi movement had already started, but it would be 6 years till war broke out. 

Was there really “nothing to fear”?  No.  No matter how low we get, how bad our economy, our government, or our morals, there is always something to fear: God.  I’m not saying God is an evil God who lurks about seeking to do bad things to us!  It’s exactly the opposite.  God is a loving God who watches over us, helping us, and guiding us.  But Friends, He is also a God who seeks your love and respect in return.  And like the days of Jeremiah when all the Israelites were taken captive as punishment, God does correct in love. 

God spoke the above verse telling all of Israel from the branch of Jacob “Do not fear” when they were already in captivity in Babylon.  I believe this verse expresses who God is toward His children better than any other I’ve read.  He says, “for I am with you”, like a Father walking in the dark with their child.  Even in His wrath toward them, He comforts them.  He won’t “make a complete end of you”, but He will correct you.  He will “not leave you wholly unpunished”. 

God’s wrath is like a slow burning fire.  It seems to take a lot of our sins to kindle it.  But when it starts - it burns hot.  Many of us have been giving him kindling with our daily sins, our daily devotion to things other than Him.  Just know that He will not leave you “wholly unpunished”, and you don’t get to pick the punishment.  You can, however, stop giving Him kindling.

Loving God is not only an emotion, but a verb.  It changes who you are and who you want to please.  It causes your own will to become second to His will.  Let your love for God increase.  Read about Him and understand His character.  Read about His love for us and grow closer to the One who loves you with an eternal love.