Now About those Lions, Tigers and Bears

S - Matthew 10:28-32 (NLT): ""Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven."

O - Jesus brings up some of the toughest realities there are, viz. those who want to kill you and hell. Neither are pleasant thoughts. Both are intensely intimidating. The Lord's point is not to add another or bigger threat to an already scary list but to relieve them all. His point is not 'so you better really walk the line' but rather "so don't be afraid." What is it that relieves all fear? Jesus says this is found in fearing God. It's not the fear of divine retribution or eternal demise. It is the wholesome dread of being disconnected from the One who loves you … the one who knows, literally, how many hairs are on your head. Jesus' tells us that in a world which accepts and promotes collateral damage and that uses and abuses people; one which considers others as expendable and throw-away, in that very world God considers all people as valuable. This assessment is confirmed by Jesus. He would literally rather die than be without any of us.

A - If I fear the Lord (the wholesome dread of being disconnected from him) I NEVER have to be afraid; not of anyone or anything. Not only so, in that "fear" my value, my identity is affirmed … known, wanted, dearly loved, and fully adopted forever! Jesus is not secretive about his love and neither is his Father. God is acting openly for us, towards us and about us … and we have the joy of living out loud a child's response … safe and secure from all alarm.

P - Lord who IS love,

Thank you for loving us, for wanting us even (maybe especially) at our worst. Thank you for relieving our fears and instilling confidence according to love! Thank for calling us to yourself, not just to an idea, principle or place. Thank you for letting us love you back and for our loving you back really mattering to you - Great God of all. This is your day and I am your child. You lead, I'll follow.

All my love,

Steve