“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:11-13 NIV)
As I write, the television is on in the background reporting on the events happening in Boston. It is being reported that two Chechen/Russian/Kyrgyzstan (it keeps changing) brothers are responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing, killed an MIT police officer last night, shot another, and while one of the brothers was killed, there is a massive manhunt going on for the other.
Regardless of the outcome, the fact that these men are foreign will undoubtedly create a sense of fear that terrorists may be living amongst us and could strike at any time. I remember vividly the days after 9/11 and the fear that pervaded the country. I suspect these recent events may spur similar feelings.
I had a conversation with a student recently who expressed concern about a fellow student going overseas to an Asian country. It’s just too dangerous, he said, for an American to be there. I told him, statistically, it was probably more dangerous for the student to drive to the airport.
In the world in which we live, it is easy to be overcome by fear, but we can take heart in these words God spoke to Israel. In a dangerous world, the Lord has hold of our hand. Whatever situation we may be actually facing or just imagine in our own minds, there is no need to be consumed by fear. For the Lord of the universe has hold of our hand and will take care of us.
Today, as events unfold and your fears may rise, take heart that the Lord has hold of your hand and remains by your side. You have nothing to fear.
© Jim Musser 2013
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