Without Dread of Disaster

"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (Proverbs 1:33)

Whoever listens to the counsels and instructions of wisdom (God's Word) will be safe and secure (spiritually) and have peace without fear of disaster/harm/evil. Wisdom from God's Word guides us and protects us from going astray and thus avoiding disaster. If we listen to (obey) God and His Word, we will be safe from Satan and his temptations and we can face anything with peace and confidence in our Rock, Jesus Christ. We have no reason to fear the eternal disaster awaiting those who ignore God and His Word. "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your feet from being snared." (Proverbs 3:25-36)

Everyday when we watch or read the news, we see all sorts of disasters and crimes. Nowadays, we are even more aware of international and global problems. As I write this, the novel coronavirus has now infected more than 80,000 people worldwide and killed at least 2,700 people. Jesus Himself even warns us of deception, disasters, dangers, and death. "Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My Name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:4-11) However, God does not want us to be fearful or anxious by what is happening in the world. Jesus told His disciples, "See to it that you are not alarmed." Don't freak out when disasters happen. 

God's Word (wisdom) tells us to trust and rest in Him Who is our Refuge. According to Webster's Dictionary, the word "refuge" means “that which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity, a stronghold which protects by its strength or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness, any place inaccessible to an enemy.” We can feel secure and be at ease without dread of disaster because God is our Refuge, God is with us, and God is in total control. "God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present Help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:1-3)  Picture yourselves as baby birds hiding under their parent's wings/feathers (feeling safe and secure) as you read Psalm 91 and experience the calmness, comfort, and confidence our Abba Father provides. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.' Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday...If you say, 'The Lord is my Refuge,' and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:1-6, 9-11)

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being my Rock, Refuge, and Strength! You are greater than any disaster. I rest confidently in Your presence, faithfulness, and sovereignty. You are my Hiding Place. Please help me not to dread disasters, but to look to You and Your Word, instead.