As we face the tumultuous events of the last days of earth's history, our Savior feels for us. He says, "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1). "I will fear no evil, for You are with me," says Psalm 23:4. What the Bible says is don't give your permission for your heart to "be troubled." Choose to trust Him by setting your will on His side; Satan cannot terrify you without somewhere you give him your permission! Make your choice to believe.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" decides David in 27:1. We want practical, common sense counsel on how to control our emotions in time of trouble. "Come unto Me," says the Savior (Matt. 11:28). Saturate your soul with the story of His cross. TV comedy tells you to laugh your fears away, but it's a lie; we're living in the great Day of Atonement when peace of heart comes through serious-minded fasting and prayer. But genuine faith always lifts up the heart with a joy that actually triumphs over your emotions. Your soul sings, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13). Let your soul feast on the psalms that tell of Jesus' struggles with the temptation to be afraid and to doubt (22, 40, 69--many). He overcame!
Immense Good News is yet to flood the world with light even though evil is everywhere, for "another angel" comes with "great authority, and the earth [is to be] illuminated with his glory" (Rev. 18:1). His message will be "Christ and Him crucified" for Jesus said that when He "is lifted up" (that is, on His cross), He "will draw all men unto [Himself]" (John 12:32). Not all will let themselves be "drawn" but all will sense the drawing. You do, don't you?
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
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