Saint Louis, Missouri, United States -Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "Fear or Faith?" Sunday, 3 August 2014But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."Isaiah 43:1-2)
Is your life one of fear or faith?
That's a good question, and most people will assume this devotion will immediately speak against all kinds of fear. But we're not going to do that. We're not because proper fear is a gift from God, which keeps us safe. Not all fear is bad. A small child needs to have a proper fear of automobiles and traffic. Adults who plunge rashly into fearful situations rarely come to a happy ending. Proper fear stops us from saying things we shouldn't say and doing deeds that are downright dangerous.But fear loses its godly purpose when it cripples us and rules us with an iron hand.
Did you ever pick up a robin or sparrow that had fallen out of its nest? As you held it in your hand, you remember the rapid, terrified beating of its heart. You were trying to help, but the bird's fear wouldn't let him trust you. That kind of fear is sad when it comes to a sparrow, but it's horrible when it keeps a human from the help the Lord freely offers to us through the suffering, sacrifice and victory of His Son.
So, is your life one of fear or faith?
When Adam and Eve took a bite from the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, fear was served up for dessert. In the New Testament we see many who were touched by fear. Since that is the case, it's not surprising angels almost always begin their announcements by saying: "Fear not." Mary heard those words, along with the announcement she would give birth to the world's Savior. The women at Jesus' empty tomb heard the angel change the world with the words, "Do not be afraid, He is risen" (see Matthew 28:1-10).
Now, it's quite possible you are living a life that is twisted by fear. Trapped by terrors both real and imagined, you may find yourself traumatized by unrealized dreams, dashed hopes, difficulties of body, mind and soul, tensions at work, insecurities, past sins, indiscretions, and the possibility of future failure.
There seems to be no escape.
Now I don't know the fear that robs you of sleep or makes your stomach lurch and your palms sweat. I don't know what fear you keep buried deep down inside. No, I don't know your fear, but I do know whatever your terror, trauma, trouble, trial and tribulation, Jesus is there.
Yes, the risen Redeemer is there and He is ready.
He is ready to take your trembling hand, prepared to listen to your frightened confession, eager to help you carry your fearsome burdens. In Jesus, Isaiah's words have found fulfillment. When Jesus redeems us and calls us by name, we will not be overwhelmed as we pass through the waters, nor will we be burned or consumed by the flame. It is all because -- in Jesus -- our lives can be free from fear.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks my life has been radically changed through the presence of my Redeemer. Now may I be empowered to turn my fears over to Him and confidently believe Him when He assures us we should fear not. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours, 
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Psalms 120: A Pilgrim Song
1-2 I’m in trouble. I cry to God,
desperate for an answer:
“Deliver me from the liars, God!
They smile so sweetly but lie through their teeth.”
3-4 Do you know what’s next, can you see what’s coming,
all you barefaced liars?
Pointed arrows and burning coals
will be your reward.
5-7 I’m doomed to live in Meshech,
cursed with a home in Kedar,
My whole life lived camping
among quarreling neighbors.
I’m all for peace, but the minute
I tell them so, they go to war!
A Pilgrim Song
121:1-2 I look up to the mountains;
does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
Guardian will never doze or sleep.
5-6 God’s your Guardian,
right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.
7-8 God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.
A Pilgrim Song of David
122:1-2 When they said, “Let’s go to the house of God,”
my heart leaped for joy.
And now we’re here, O Jerusalem,
inside Jerusalem’s walls!
3-5 Jerusalem, well-built city,
built as a place for worship!
The city to which the tribes ascend,
all God’s tribes go up to worship,
To give thanks to the name of God—
this is what it means to be Israel.
Thrones for righteous judgment
are set there, famous David-thrones.
6-9 Pray for Jerusalem’s peace!
Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!
Friendly insiders, get along!
Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!
For the sake of my family and friends,
I say it again: live in peace!
For the sake of the house of our God, God,
I’ll do my very best for you.
2 Thessalonians 2: The Anarchist
1-3 Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don’t go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don’t let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master’s arrival has come and gone. Don’t fall for any line like that.
3-5 Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He’ll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he’ll then set himself up in God’s Temple as “God Almighty.” Don’t you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?
6-8 You’ll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn’t mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don’t worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.
9-12 The Anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.
13-14 Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God’s original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.
15-17 So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.
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