Day 44

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev 2:10 NASB.

Jesus says, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.” Why? Because “there is no fear in love. . . perfect love drives out fear. . .” and “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:18-19, NIV).

Those who fear (respect) God have placed themselves in God’s control and are really not impressed with anybody else. They have learned to trust God in all circumstances because He knows all circumstances. He permits nothing that wouldn’t be for our good in the long run. He permits nothing that we can’t handle if we are in relationship with Him. That’s a hard saying (based in Romans 8:28), but the words in our text are addressed to the 200-year period when the church suffered a lot!

Every so often we get into situations that we can’t handle. We still don’t need to be afraid. Sometimes the river of our life rushes down the ravine and into the gorge, where the shadows are overpowering and the darkness surrounds us. Sometimes it flows in places that bewilder us and we ask “how did I get here?” The river of life flows and our memories line the banks. Eventually it will flow into the fathomless immensity of eternity. Through all of life’s circumstances, no matter how bewildering, we must trust God with the outcome.

Now I don’t intend to be stupid and go places where I don’t belong, but if God is in control of my life, I don’t have to be afraid. If God is with me and its time, then it’s time. I don’t have to worry about when. Fear is no longer in control. May the Lord help us to live instinctively by faith, trusting the final outcome of our various situations to Him.