Do Not Fear

Well, another frightful Halloween is behind us and our hearts are wanton to once again turn towards Thanksgiving and the roasted turkey, canned cranberry sauce, and mystery casseroles. But for many evangelicals, the horror of Halloween will return tomorrow when the country elects a new president who is not an evengelical (or maybe not a Republican). I have been getting e-mails lately from a number of evangelical groups reminding me of the great importance of this one particular election for Christians in America because the future of our country is at stake and I, as a believer, should be worried about what would happen if Barack Obama gets elected president. There is a lot of fear in their tone, a lot of worry, a lot of anxiety.

But I wonder: Why do we fear when God has told us not to fear? Why do we cower when we should be people of courage? Should Christians be afraid of election day? Should we be worried about what would happen if the Democratic candidate wins tomorrow?

Today I turned to Psalm 46 and received an answer strong and clear. It was an answer that I have received every place I looked in the Bible. The message is simple yet complicated: Do not fear.

Here's what God's Word says about fear:

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.

1God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

8Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10"Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.


There are 11 "verses" to this song, divided into three thoughts.

1. "God is our refuge and strength... therefore we will not fear." This is a common theme in the psalms. God is our spiritual and emotional refuge because He is a Spirit who works in the spiritual realms to bring about peace. He is also our physical refuge because He is the Caretaker-Sovereign of the universe who has the power to change the physical realm. The ability to not fear comes from the fact that there is One who exists beyond time and space yet has the desire and ability to reach down into it and act on the behalf of those He loves. Even when all hell seems to be breaking loose on earth, God is still a refuge.

2. "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God." This section deals with heaven, where the psalmists and prophets place the throne of God, with the earth as His footstool. Heaven is going nowhere, despite the hell reigning down on earth. God is still sovereign and in full command of the nations. He is WITH us (emmanuel). He is our stronghold.

3. "Come behold the works of the Lord... 'Cease (Be still) and know that I am God.'" God brings about BOTH war and peace. The armies of earth do not move without His bidding. So why should we fear? God is still in control, even if we think all hell is breaking loose on earth -- or in an election. The word for "Cease" or "Be still" is "rafa," which means "the relaxing of the body." It's when muscles cease to be tense and you become a body of jello on the couch after a long, hard day. It's that moment when you sit down after standing or walking all day and your feet are so tired they're screaming for relief. That's what it means to "Be still" and know that He is God. It's pure relief. It's the antidote to fear.

God will be exalted no matter what tomorrow may bring. And He will use the new president to push forward His agenda on earth. Even if it's "the other guy." So why should we fear? The Lord is with us. The Lord is our refuge if times get tough. Do not fear. He is the Lord.