Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
The Bible tells us over and over to "fear not" as we get closer to the final events of time. "I will fear no evil," says the person who believes that the "the Lord is [his] Shepherd" (Psalm 23). "Do not fear, little flock," says Jesus, "for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). In common language it means the Father enjoys giving you the inheritance of His kingdom while the world has despised you.
All who believe the Good News of the gospel of Jesus will be tested as Daniel and his faithful friends were tested by the fiery furnace, the challenge of Belshazzar, and the lions' den (chapters 3, 5, 6). There will be those who believe the 23rd Psalm, and there will be those who don't. "All who dwell on the earth will worship [the beast], whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8). But the Lord Jesus will have a people true to Him!
For such faith in "the Lamb of God" to be established in us will mean an appreciation of what it cost Him to save us by His death on His cross. Those "who follow [Him] wherever He goes" (14:4) will indeed be a "little flock" compared to the majority; Jesus is jealous for His honor. He says, "Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. ... He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt. 10:32-34, 38, 39).
Does it make you tremble? Don't fear! Keep close to Jesus in His closing hours; let self be "crucified with Him" and then "perfect love [agape] will cast out [your] fear" (1 John 4:18).
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 1, 2004.
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