Oct. 8 – Thoughts on Isa. 30-31 & Phil. 4

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses,
who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.  – Isa. 31:1

Where are you putting your trust these days?  Are you trusting in God when fear comes or in the things of this world?

People chose to trust a number of things instead of God.  We amass wealth in savings and market accounts, so we never get to trust in God to provide for our needs.  We do whatever it takes to get high paying jobs, so we never get to trust in God to give us His work to do.  We put our kids in private schools, then private colleges, so we never get to trust God to protect them.  We work hard to get the “right” political system in place, so we never get to trust God to direct us in our interactions with the world around us.  In fact, we live in constant fear these days and seek to save ourselves from it through medication, security systems, political systems, belief systems.  And then we keep feeding this fear to each other in conversations, social media posts, and 24 hour news shows.

Anyone who tells you to live in fear of anything but God – “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” – is not only lying to you, but leading you away from God.  Period.

So how do we fight this fear that is so pervasive?  How do we keep from becoming obsessed with the fear of this world?  Paul has it right when he sends his letter to the church in Phillipi…

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Phil. 4:8

When our kids came of age and found the truth of anxiety, we had them memorize this verse.  And that is my suggestion to all of us.  Memorize this passage, then do it.  The news is not helpful, social media feeds the fear, and worry is not God’s way.  Spend the time you would spend on Facebook, with FOX or CNN, or worrying with friends praying, reading God’s Word, and thanking Him for His protection and provision, and you will see the fear fall away.