Don't Be Afraid

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” -Luke 12:6-7 NIV


Sometimes it's hard to imagine a really personal God who cares for each one of us like a favored child.  It's hard to imagine it's true when we are facing a cancer diagnosis.  It's hard to imagine it's true when one's spouse of 20 years walks out the door for good.  It's hard to imagine it's true when we outlive one of our children.  It's hard to imagine it's true when we lose our source of income.


That's when we need verse 7 from this passage... "Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."  We will suffer.  That is a given.  But we need not be afraid.  Our God IS INDEED a personal God.  He is right there with us through the cancer diagnosis and the divorce and the job loss and even the loss of a child. He walks with us through the grief and scariness, telling us that dancing will come again.


Every now and then the dancing doesn't come in this life, but the next.  But I think one of the underlying messages of this passage is that our life on earth is brief, and although there will be suffering, we can look forward to eternal dancing.  No matter what we suffer now, it will all be all right in the end... no, it will be better than all right, it will be "all-perfect."


God's "don't be afraid" is him saying, "Hold on just a little while longer!  Persevere!  Grow in my love!  It all works out great in the end!"


Lord,
I thank you that I don't have to fear anything this world has to offer.  But when I do succumb to fear, hold my hand and walk me through it.  Amen.


Joys:  Prayer with friends; a much needed couple days away from work; coffee and devotion time