Be Surrendered to 'Love'

Fear is torment and who wants to live in torment? Most of us do not yet the Apostles Paul and John address fear as a reality many of us face. This week our devotional writers tackle the topic “Victory Over Fear.” May our faith be strengthened by God’s Word and encouraged through these devotionals.

It has been suggested that for most people there are two things that severely cause or lead to fear, though we all have our own special buttons to not want pushed. One is public humiliation, {one subset is public speaking}, and the other is a traumatic death or painful dying. Should we face these we often desperately want to know that there is some type of an escape mechanism, a convenient exit, a rescue, or a certain mercy. Our popular culture is filled with loads of various fantastical heroes or heroines, some even prefaced with the adjective of being 'super'. We cheer, at least inwardly, when just in the nick of time, that villain or that threatening circumstance is overcome by the one awaited when none else would, the 'hero'.

Everyone enjoys the well-ended 'cliff-hanger' be it movie, play, or book. Even the bit of news that appears to be tragic and is turned around brings our sigh of relief. In real life, all too often, the fair ending is not the outcome. The hero doesn't always subdue the villain or the beast, and the prince doesn't always get to the princess in harm's way on time. Sometimes Bambi catches a bullet. Sometimes the treatment hoped for is a tad too late, or the critical conversation to have is met by a voicemail message, as you wait, again.
Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1 [NASB]

This He shared with the closest of His followers knowing that they would soon have the opportunity for either courage or cowardice. He said "Peace I leave with you...Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27).  "Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:32-33)  

As He took the worse upon Him for our sakes, He also overcame for our sakes with the invitation to come to life. This signature in time, and space, an unfolding mystery with us as audience, was God's own, perfect love making a way out of no way. One thief near Jesus appreciated this. The other, not so much. In living, which 'thief' will we be? "Tetelestai." (John 19:30)

Prayer: Eternal Father, in the name of Your Son, quicken within me that love which never fails, that that which hinders and exists as fear is of no effect. Bless the big and the small of me to show nothing short of love, in Jesus' name, to reach as I have been reached, and to be as called, unto righteousness. Amen.
 By Bro. McNeal Brockington