Fighting Your Fear

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. [10] Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. [11] For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:8-11

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."  Matthew 1:23

In two weeks, the date we have designated to celebrate the birth of our Lord will, again, be behind us.  The process of moving on into another year will be upon us.  Will we be any different in 2013 as far as we relate to our fears?

Fear not, for I am with you;
 Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
 I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10

God's answer to our fears is His presence.  On that holy night in that little town of Bethlehem, "the hopes and fears of all the years" were met in Him.

In what ways has the Savior's coming and the Savior's continued presence calmed your fears?
    


    

Do Also To Others

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7:12

The Sermon on the Mount is a reminder of God's higher demands (and gracious equipping) on those who chose to follow Him.  Thus, Jesus often began with the phrase you have heard it said.  The people had heard Matthew 7:12 stated in another way - what we would call the negative form.  Religion is full of "do not's".  They had heard, "Do not do to others what you would not like done to you".  But, Jesus calls His followers to do MORE; He calls His followers not to simply refrain from evil, but to do good.  Thus, the "But, I say" of Jesus is Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.

 I was drawn to this last phrase of this verse:  for this is the Law and the Prophets.  Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13-14  For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 

Jesus' statement in Matthew 7:12, was nothing new.  It was simply the correct application of the second great commandment (see Matthew 22:37-40).   

Whatever you want men to do to you...  I love that.  That says to me that my desires regarding treatment of others is normal and not to be ignored.  It is natural to want from others.  But, this verse also shows me what I am to do when I find myself looking to others; I am to do for them.  Over and over again in Scripture, we find this to be God's answer to our desires from others.  The remedy for wanting from others is to counter with seeking a way to bless them.  In this is the Law and the Prophets.