When Fear Knocks
Well, now, slap my knee and point your peepers right over here, friend, the good Lord has done flipped the ol’ switch on another new day, an’ here we are, standin’ right in the glow of it like a lil’ ol’ bigheaded rooster that’s finally figured out what time it is. So, come right on up here on this front porch and settle yourself down like a chipmunk findin’ the one warm, sunny spot to curl up in on a chilly mornin’. We’re ‘bout to go wanderin’ off into a truth that that runs deeper than a box turtle hidin’ down in its shell durin’ a big ol’ thunderstorm. So, we read in Psalm 112:8, which tells us, “His heart is established. He will not be afraid.” That there’s the kind of steady kind o’ soul character we all wish we had when life starts to flappin’ ‘round us like a rattled lil’ ol’ chicken hen that just spotted a sly ol’ fox sneakin’ ‘round.
Now, friend, I know Charlie Brown once said that he was real scared to be happy ‘cause something bad always seemed to followin’ that there kind o’ feelin’. Bless his lil’ ol’ cartoon heart. But if we’re real honest here, we’ve all felt that way at one time or ‘nother. Sometimes our joy gits to feelin’ ‘bout as skittish as a deer drinkin’ from a creek. One loud noise, an’, then, it’s plumb gone. This here ol’ world can git to be a real wild place. You never know if you’re ‘bout to be steppin’ into a blessin’ or be trippin’ over a raccoon diggin’ through your trash can. Yet Psalm 112 reminds us that “the person, who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments, ain’t gonna’ be afraid of evil tidin’s. His heart is gonna’ be real steadfast, an’ trusting in the Lord,” (Psalm 112:1,7).
Fear is a rough ol’ mean critter to be wrestlin’ with. It’ll sit on your chest like a fat ol’ barn cat that refuses to move. But Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 reminds us that God has already set the times and seasons. He’s not guessin’. He’s not hopin’. He’s not wringin’ His hands like a busy lil’ ol’ squirrel tryin’ to decide which tree to climb. He’s already determined your path. An’, friend, when the Lord is with you, as John Newton said, “His eye is upon you, His arm is over you, and His ear is open to your prayer.” That there means you can be walkin’ forward without any kind o’ fear, even if the trail gits to lookin’ twistier than a big ol’ snake slitherin’ ‘round in the tall grass.
Lord, help me choose reverence over worry. Teach me to trust Your plan even when my knees wobble like a newborn calf. Set my heart steady. Let me delight in Your commandments and rest in Your care. Keep me close, confident, and courageous. In Jesus name, Amen.
Well, mercy me, friend, I think we’ve done stirred up enough holy dust for now, and it’s ‘bout time to be lettin’ the Lord be sweepin’ the rest into place. So, as you git to wanderin’ back down the trail today, be takin’ holdin’ close in your mind that fear may git to hollerin’ real loud like a lil’ ol’ blue jay in lookin’ for a girlfriend in matin’ season, but fear don’t git the final say in the matter. God’s favor runs a whole lot deeper, stronger, and steadier than anything that gits to tryin’ to be shakin’ on you. Keep your heart real anchored. Keep your eyes lifted up. Keep your trust planted firmer than an old oak tree that has done weathered a hundred storms. And walk right on ahead, friend, ‘cause the One who’s holdin’ you don’t never, ever tremble.
With joy,
Gwen
