Fearless in the Now

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 (ESV)

An American family living in Iraq shortly after the fall of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein takes up the offer of their Iraqi driver to show them the sights of Baghdad. They are more than happy to get out of their closeted environment and see more of the city. They drive across a bridge over the Tigris River with their two teenage sons, having fun, soaking in the sights and making videos. Suddenly, two black trucks cut them off. Masked men jump out, pointing automatic weapons at them. The gunmen force the husband and their Iraqi driver into one of the trucks while two gunmen get into their car with the wife and two sons. Fear grips her, but as she talks to the Lord, she realises she need not fear. This is what she said during an interview about their ordeal:

“I decided to stay present with the Lord. What causes fear and anxiety is using your imagination to project into the future. God is not with us in the future. God is with us in the present.”

This is, in fact, what the psalmist says,

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

Our Future is in His Hands

If we know, as the psalmist says, that God is our very present help, then He is present with us in our troubles. He is with us when we need His help. When this deep knowledge settles in our hearts, we can say with the psalmist: “therefore I will not fear.” When we say this, we are giving our fears to Him. We are declaring we trust God with the uncertainties we are facing. We don’t allow our thoughts, our imagination, to run rampant into a future we cannot yet see. Only God can see our future. Our future is held in His hands and is safe and secure with Him. Jesus says in John 14:27 (ESV)

“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.”

When we let go of our fear, our hearts are open to receive His peace. The peace of the One who loves us with His perfect and eternal love. This knowledge compels us to declare: “I will not fear; my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is present with me.

If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear.  His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer – His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable. John Newton

 

Reflection:

Are your fears overwhelming you? Declare that God is present with you right now, and therefore you will not fear.

Prayer:

Thank You, Lord, for being with me now. You see my present fears and my fears of the future. I surrender them to You. I declare: “I will not fear. My trust is in You alone. Fill me with Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.