Some Thoughts on Worry and Fear – Part 3

Here are some other passages that can be helpful:

God values us more than birds and we are so much on His mind that the hair on our head is counted. Think of that the next time you find a hair in the sink. God just took note and subtracted one!

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7, NKJV)

John tells us that love casts out fear. As our love for God grows, our trust in Him grows. We begin to know His heart and fear diminishes. Perfect love and therefore absence of fear is the goal, but getting there often takes a lifetime.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18, NKJV)

Our confidence needs to be in God and nothing else. He promises His care and protection.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:25–26, NKJV)

Here’s another verse that reminds us that our trust is to be in God. Notice that the Psalmist is repeating this to himself. This is a good practice—to say things like this to ourselves. Sometimes we have to say it repeatedly until our heart begins to believe the promise.

In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:4, NKJV)

And here is another that emphasizes trust in the Lord:

Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:6–7, NKJV)

So it seems to me the biggest cause of fear is the lack of trust in God. We tend to not trust His heart, His strength and often His motives. The Bible tells us that faith comes from hearing the word of God and so that is where our meditation and attention needs to be.

When it comes to what might happen politically, there are several passages that we need to keep in mind. Daniel 2:21, “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” (Psalm 75:6–7, NKJV)

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1, NKJV)

‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.’” (Daniel 4:17, NKJV)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1

From these passages I think we can see what we know to be true, but often forget. It is God who rules in the affairs of men. He promotes whoever He wishes to positions of authority. He is the one who places them and removes them for His own purpose. That purpose is always for the good of His people and the glory of His Name. Of course on the human side we are to pray and vote and perhaps even campaign for those we think would do the best job and rule in a way we believe would honor God. But in the end, we need to recognize that through all of the millions of votes cast by people who make decisions for a whole host of reasons, God is placing into power those of His choosing. We need to accept that and trust Him through it. I think we should respect God’s work, not in a resigned Eeyore way, but in faith, trusting that God is in fact working and accomplishing His great goals for history, and we get to be a part of it!

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