Jul 31 2009
Be Not Afraid
Whom do you turn to when times are tough? Let me tell you about my friend, Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin (Ret.). He served as the United States Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. It was Jerry who once said, “It was God whom I relied on when I nearly lost an arm in battle. It was God whom I prayed to when my men went to war. It was God whom I cried out to when my men returned maimed and bleeding. It was also God whom I cried out to when they didn’t return at all.”
Life can be very difficult and challenging for all of us at one time or another. I am reminded of independence and freedom during the month of July and of the heroes I look up to in my own life. Lt. Gen. Boykin is one of my friends and one of my heroes because in all things and in every situation he relies upon God.
How about you, dear Christian? Whom do you turn to when you are faced with challenges in your life? When you are faced with an uncertain future due to an illness, the loss of a job or the death of a spouse, who is it that you instinctively turn to for answers, guidance and comfort? I hope and pray that it is the Lord.
We all know some of the trials that David faced. We can read in scripture of his sins, his enemies who longed to kill him and the doubts and fears that plagued his life. David learned in the midst of fiery trials that he could trust in God. Read Psalm 56:3-4:
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”
Numerous times throughout God’s word we are instructed to fear not. If God is all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present, then what and whom do we have to fear?