Fear is for those who forget who God is

1 Samuel 17:48

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

I recently saw this verse written out and stuck up on someone's wall. It struck me - in the midst of the Israelites fear of Goliath, it was David, God's chosen one, who ran not away from battle, but towards it.

"Foolish boy", was my first thought.

"Actually, no wait" was my second. What David was doing wasn't foolish at all because he knew that God was with him and for Israel.

I'm not saying that we should run towards troubles and crises - the Bible very clearly says that we are to FLEE from all temptation etc. But I was particularly challenged by the difference that knowing God made in David's response to this situation - he had no fear because he knew God and what He was capable of.

Do we have the same attitude? Me, not really. I forget how powerful God is and end up fearing people more than I do Him. You?

Habitat for Humanity devotions

"Grace, don't you want to do the morning devotions?" the Habitat for Humanity vice-chair looked at me pointedly.

I shake my head vigorously. Noooo way.

For those of you who don't know, Habitat for Humanity International is a "nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization, [...] dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action". So when the branch at my university recently held its weeklong International Student Build in the holidays, it meant someone had to do the morning devotions.. Me?

Sure, why not? I was someone who genuinely loved Jesus, pretty good at handling groups of people, and had been trained quite well in giving small talks at my church... But inside I was freaking out. No-one really knew it was a Christian organization, so the majority of the people coming probably wouldn't be Christian, and deep down I knew it was mostly 'cause I didn't want to be 'that' Christian girl.

But two weeks later, I find myself volunteering to take them. Despite my hesitation, I realized what an awesome opportunity this was (that is, after sharing my fears and being told to 'suck it up' a few times by my caring siblings and others). I also found it a good rebuke to be shown how much value I placed in human opinion, and not in God's.. Fear the Lord, not people.

So the challenge was this: to prepare five short devotions for a group of people who probably didn't know Jesus, and didn't care about the Christian roots of the organization they were helping on, being clear about Jesus, and also keeping it interesting and relevant. This is what I came up with...

Be strong and courageous!

My memory verse for today is a verse I already blogged on a few posts back:

"Then the leaders of Judah will say in their hearts: 'The people of Jerusalem are strong because the Lord Almighty is their God" (Zech 12:5).

And I've already decided that next week's memory verse will be Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

I've decided on these verses specifically because I haven't been feeling that brave or strong or courageous lately. In fact, when I realized that a specific situation might turn into a particularly trying one, instead of praising God for seeing fit to mould me more like Him, or for asking God for strength, I was desperately praying: "God, no, no, no, no, no. Not a good idea! Please no." Or you know, something like that. Lots of panicking!

Then I read a bit of John yesterday and I hit a verse which was really amazing. Jesus had just finished telling his disciples about his death again, and he says:

"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!'" (John 12:27-8).

What a great reminder that I shouldn't be scared or freaked out by various circumstances - because it's not really about me. It's about God's glory. The reason why I'm still here on earth is to glorify God's name in whatever circumstances and struggles I face. And His name WILL be glorified. And I CAN be brave and strong and courageous because he is MY GOD!

And because I've started eating a heck lot of spinach. ;)