Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Fear not

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Genesis 12:1-4
The Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you ... Abram went.

Something worked in the relationship between God and Abram. When God spoke, Abram listened. Abram was settled and stable, and God told him to leave that behind. Abram obeyed.

What made it possible for Abram to do what most of us would hesitate to do, and perhaps refuse to do at all?

Abram did not feel threatened by God, though he knew God was holy. "Holy" doesn't mean morally right; it means "other/separate." God made Abram to give and receive love without guilt and drink deeply from life. Abram knew God's good intention and so it was right and safe for him to obey.

A few generations later Moses stood before the burning bush, and God told him to remove his shoes on this holy ground. Moses obeyed, but not because God was threatening him. He obeyed because God is holy. God is the Maker, the Prime Mover. Moses moved.

I think we fail to obey God precisely because we feel threatened by him. We forget God's unconditioned love and think his attention threatens us. So we distance ourselves from God and avoid the "holy."

We leave our shoes on all the time.

When Jesus wants to wash our feet, we won't take off our shoes for him. When we are astonished by the spacious sweep of mystery in a baby's laugh or rainbow or simple touch, we shy away and pretend it's nothing.

Ron Rolheiser points out that most of the over 300 moments when God spoke to man in the Bible (theophanies, they are called) begin with the words, "Do not be afraid."

So if what you hear starts with "Be afraid," it's probably not from God.

But we are afraid. Too many parents, too many teachers and preachers, too many frightened folks have started their exhortation with "Be afraid." Churches have sown the seeds of fear, and we reap the harvest.

Religious fear does (literally sometimes) scare the hell out of people. In this way it's effective. But that doesn't make it right, because fear is the opposite of the gospel. There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear. Love trumps fear every time. It's not only effective, it is true. It is good. It is beautiful. It is God.

You are my shepherd, Lord, and I shall not want. You make me lie down in green pastures, and you restore my soul. My cups runs over with your goodness and mercy, and I shall dwell in your house forever.

Devotions Archive

Fear not

Sunday, March 16, 2014