Pastor's Ponderings, February 18, 2020

God Is Bigger Than Our Fears

Carla Herreria wrote an article in the 2/14/2020 issue of the Huffington Post entitled, “L.A. Officials Say Asian Teen Was Assaulted, Bullied Over Coronavirus Fears.”  It went on to indicate, “Asian American leaders denounced the rise in anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S. as misinformation has spread fearmongering over the new virus.” The saddest line in the article was, “The student’s family was afraid to speak out, according to KABC-TV in Los Angeles.”

The devil is the master at misdirection.  He traffics in fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety.  God has not given us the spirit of fear of the coronavirus or anything else (2 Timothy 1:7) but wants us to have His abundant life (John 10:10).  The devil will get people stirred up and terrified, but then point them in the wrong direction so that they do not realize that it is he that comes to kill, steal, and to destroy (John 10:10).  He does it because he is the Father of Lies (John 8:44).  

We must remember that God’s perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Many have died as a result of a mob’s anger and fear to attack the innocent or those who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Today many are worried about the coronavirus.  In the past, it was AIDS, the West Nile Virus, or SARS.  While these are legitimate health concerns, let us not attack the wrong source.  The devil wants us divided and not looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. Instead, we can look to Jesus who is able to do anything even greater than we can ask or think (Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 3:20). God is greater than our fear.

2 Timothy 1:7
King James Version (KJV)

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

John 10:10
New International Version (NIV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 8:44
New International Version (NIV)

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 John 4:18
New International Version (NIV)

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Hebrews 12:2
New International Version (NIV)

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ephesians 3:20
New International Version (NIV)

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,