No Fear

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27


I am reminded this morning there are 365 “Fear nots” in our bible, one for every day of the year. Obviously, God knows we worry about all kinds of things and so He gives us a “fear not” for every day of the year! Speaking of fear, did you know today is Election Day in the United States. Are you aware that most if not all elections are in some way driven by fear? You might not realize that in the moment but it’s true. Candidates usually contrast themselves against their opponent by telling you what will happen if the other person wins. That’s why if you listen close when people voice their concern over a particular candidate about the only thing they can tell you as to why they are not voting for the person is all the things they are afraid will happen if that person wins. They often times don’t even know why they are voting for the candidate they are voting for, they only know why they are not voting for a candidate. Proof that negative campaigning works because for the most part it plays on peoples fear of the unknown and nothing motivates people more to vote than fear.

There is good news regarding the future on this Election Day regardless of who you are or who you are not voting for. An old saying comes to mind this morning, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I know who holds tomorrow” in reference to God’s sovereignty. I appreciate what the apostle Paul writes regarding our future in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” The apostle Paul’s words remind me that the answers to the worlds woes are not found in the White House but rather in God’s House and we do well to remember that on any Election Day.

We don’t need to worry about the future if our hope is in Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact Jesus said in Matthews gospel that worrying is just a waste of our time because it doesn’t change a thing. We have learned a lot about fear this past year with the Covid virus touching every continent on the planet and impacting all our lives. Fear of the unknown is griping and has a way of paralyzing us from living and enjoying life. It’s why faith is so important. Faith is what gives us the ability to see the future with clarity and surety and if you are walking with God, the future is bright!

There are signs around my neighborhood meant to encourage people during this covid pandemic. The signs read, “We will get through this” and it’s true but the good news of the Gospel is we don’t just have to get through this, we can actually grow through this. Moses and the children of Israel didn’t get around the Red Sea when they were being pursued by the Egyptians. The children of Israel passed right smack dab through the middle of the Sea on dry ground. A great reminder today that no matter how bad things may appear to us, there is nothing to fear as God is more than able to part the obstacles before us so we can safely make it to the other side.

There is no need to be afraid of whatever it is you may be facing today. Your uncertainties are God’s opportunities to show Himself strong for you. God is with you and He makes a way where there seems to be no way. Jesus even conquered death for us so that we don’t even need to fear death any longer. Nothing, absolutely nothing can stop the plans and purposes of God. If God’s Word says it, that settles it and we do well to trust in it! Do you want to overcome the fears in your own life? Put your hope in God.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 5:1-5

I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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