Fear Factor (and other Devotionals)

Fear Factor

Today's reading: 1 Kings 19:1-8

On the heels of boldly and publically standing strong for God against the prophets of Baal, Elijah receives a death threat from Jezebel, the exceedingly evil wife of king Ahab. The message scares Elijah, and the next thing you know, he is on the run. His response seems odd given what had just taken place on Mount Carmel. But Elijah's reaction shows us how quickly we can stumble and falter in our faith when something unexpected or difficult crops up and we rely on our immediate emotions instead of taking a breath and turning to God.

What does this passage reveal about the influence of fear on our thinking, judgment and actions? What helps you keep your eyes on God when something happens that catches you off guard? 

~Tami~

___________________________

As I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God... and the hand of the Lord was there upon me (Ezek. 1:1,3).

There is no commentator of the Scriptures half so valuable as a captivity. The old Psalms have quavered for us with a new pathos as we sat by our "Babel's stream," and have sounded for us with new joy as we found our captivity turned as the streams in the South.

The man who has seen much affliction will not readily part with his copy of the Word of God. Another book may seem to others to be identical with his own; but it is not the same to him, for over his old and tear-stained Bible he has written, in characters which are visible to no eyes but his own, the record of his experiences, and ever and anon he comes on Bethel pillars or Elim palms, which are to him the memorials of some critical chapter in his history.

If we are to receive benefit from our captivity we must accept the situation and turn it to the best possible account. Fretting over that from which we have been removed or which has been taken away from us, will not make things better, but it will prevent us from improving those which remain. The bond is only tightened by our stretching it to the uttermost.

The impatient horse which will not quietly endure his halter only strangles himself in his stall. The high-mettled animal that is restive in the yoke only galls his shoulders; and every one will understand the difference between the restless starling of which Sterne has written, breaking its wings against the bars of the cage, and crying, "I can't get out, I can't get out," and the docile canary that sits upon its perch and sings as if it would outrival the lark soaring to heaven's gate.

No calamity can be to us an unmixed evil if we carry it in direct and fervent prayer to God, for even as one in taking shelter from the rain beneath a tree may find on its branches fruit which he looked not for, so we in fleeing for refuge beneath the shadow of God's wing, will always find more in God than we had seen or known before.

It is thus through our trials and afflictions that God gives us fresh revelations of Himself; and the Jabbok ford leads to Peniel, where, as the result of our wrestling, we "see God face to face," and our lives are preserved.

Take this to thyself, O captive, and He will give thee "songs in the night," and turn for thee "the shadow of death into the morning."
--Nathaniel William Taylor

Submission to the divine will is the softest pillow on which to recline.

It filled the room, and it filled my life,
With a glory of source unseen;
It made me calm in the midst of strife,
And in winter my heart was green.
And the birds of promise sang on the tree
When the storm was breaking on land and sea.

~L. B. Cowman~

__________________________

Obeying God

Acts 5:27-32

The high priest ordered Peter and the apostles to stop teaching about Jesus, but they ignored the order. When questioned about their actions, Peter replied, “We must obey God rather than men” (v. 29). What motivated them to follow the Lord with such conviction?

God’s Sovereignty. Peter and the other disciples recognized that God had carried out His divine plan of redemption in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Convinced that salvation was found in Christ alone, they had the courage to speak boldly about their faith. They didn’t alter their words, even in front of a powerful authority. Instead, they gave allegiance to God and obeyed Him.

Thankfulness. Their obedience was also motivated by gratitude. After betraying the Lord, Peter had wept over his failure (Mark 14:72). Think of the disciple’s joy to realize that Christ had forgiven him for his mistakes and restored him to a right relationship with God (Mark 16:7; John 21:15-17). With his past behind him, Peter became a leader of the Jerusalem church, with a passion to obey fueled by a thankful heart.

God is in charge of our lives. He has rescued us from the bondage of sin, forgiven us, and brought us into His family. Grateful obedience should be our response too.

Each day we have a choice. We can acknowledge God’s sovereignty and trust Him, or we can turn away and follow our own plan. Cultivating a thankful spirit will motivate us to stay the course and obey the Lord. Like Peter, let’s commit to following our heavenly Father wherever He leads.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

___________________________

The Attitude of Obedience

Over the last several devotionals, we have learned the importance and reward of obedience.  Today I want you to see the underlying attitude of obedience, modeled by our Lord.  It is found in Philippians 2:5-9,

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.

When Jesus coexisted with the Father in eternity past, the Father said, "Son, we need You to go down and be born in a stable, be raised in a poor carpenter's home, and give up Your life."

Jesus could have said no, but He didn't.  He said, "Yes, Father."

And as He prayed in Gethsemane, agonizing over the thought of being separated from the bright presence of the Father, He said, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).

He could have said no.  But He said, "Yes, Father."

And even hanging upon the cross, having been beaten and disfigured, gasping for every breath, knowing that the end was near—He became obedient to death.

He could have said no.  But He said, "Yes, Father."

Through His attitude of obedience, we can receive eternal life.  I am so grateful our Savior obeyed the Father!

That is the same attitude of obedience that should be in us.

~Bayless Conley~