Text 962, 88 rader
Skriven 2006-03-17 04:59:22 av Bob Hoffman (8:8/2)
Ärende: Fear to Fear
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Fear to Fear
Faith's Checkbook

March 17 Fear to Fear "Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to
deliver thee, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 1:8). Whenever fear comes in and
makes us falter, we are in danger of falling into sin. Conceit is to be
dreaded, but so is cowardice.
"Dare to be a Daniel." Our great Captain should be served
by brave soldiers. What a reason for bravery is here! God is with those who are
with Him. God will never be away when the hour of struggle comes. Do they
threaten you? Who are you that you should be afraid of a man that shall die?
Will you lose your situation? Your God whom you serve will find bread and water
for His servants. Can you not trust Him? Do they pour ridicule upon you? Will
this break your bones or your heart? Bear it for Christ's sake, and even
rejoice because of it. God is with the true, the just, the holy, to deliver
them; and He will deliver you. Remember how Daniel came out of the lions' den
and the three holy children out of the furnace. Yours is not so desperate a
case as theirs; but if it were, the LORD would bear you through and make you
more than a conqueror. Fear to fear. Be afraid to be afraid. Your worst enemy
is within your own bosom. Get to your knees and cry for help, and then rise up
saying,
"I will trust, and not be afraid."
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THE TENDERNESS OF GOD (John MacDuff, "The Night Watches")
"He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the
lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the
mother sheep with their young." Isaiah 40:11 How soothing, in the hour of
sorrow, or bereavement, or death, to have the countenance and sympathy of a
tender earthly friend. Reader, these words tell you of One nearer, dearer,
tenderer still; the Friend that never fails; a tender God! By how many
endearing epithets does Jesus exhibit the tenderness of His relation to His
people. Does a shepherd watch tenderly over his flock? "The Lord is my
Shepherd." Does a father exercise fondest solicitude towards his children?
"I will be a Father unto you." Does a mother's love exceed all other
earthly types of affection.
"As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you."
Is the 'apple of the eye' (the pupil) the most sensitive part of the most
delicate bodily organ? He guards His people "as the apple of His
eye!" "He will not break the bruised reed." When the Shepherd
and Guardian of Souls finds the sinner, like a lost sheep, stumbling on the
dark mountains, how tenderly He deals with him! There is no look of wrath; no
word of upbraiding; in silent love "He lays him on His shoulders
rejoicing!" Reader, are you mourning over... the weakness of your faith;
the coldness of your love; your manifold spiritual declensions? Fear not. He
knows your frame! He will give 'feeble faith' tender dealing. He will
"carry" in His arms those that are unable to walk, and will conduct
the burdened ones through a path less rough and rugged than others. When
"the lion" or "the bear" comes, you may trust the true
David, the tenderest of Shepherds! Are you suffering from outward trial?
Confide in the tenderness of your God's dealings with you. The strokes of His
rod are gentle strokes; the needed discipline of a father yearning over his
children the very moment He is chastising them. The gentlest earthly parent may
speak a harsh word at times; it may be, needlessly harsh. But not so God. He
may seem, like Joseph to his brethren, to 'speak roughly'; but all the while
there is love in His heart. The 'pruning knife' will not be used unnecessarily.
It will never cut too deeply. The 'furnace' will not burn more fiercely than is
absolutely required. A tender God is seated by it, tempering the fury of its
flames. And what, believer, is the secret of all this tenderness? "There
is a Man upon the Throne!" Jesus, the God Man Mediator; combining with the
might of Godhead, the tenderness of spotless humanity. Is your heart crushed
with sorrow? so was His! Are your eyes dimmed with tears? so were His?
"Jesus wept!" Bethany's Chief Mourner still wears the
Brother's heart in glory! Others may be unable to enter into the depths of your
trial; Jesus can; Jesus does! With such a tender God.... caring for me,
providing for me, watching my path by day, and guarding my couch by night,
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell
in safety." Psalm 4:8
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