In Your Presence All My Fears Are Washed Away

Cause when we see you we find strength to face the day

And in your presence all my fears are washed away

Hosanna, Hosanna

You are the God who saves us 

Worthy of all our praises

Hosanna, Hosanna

Come have your way among us

We welcome you here Lord Jesus

The last year has been a difficult one, there is no other way to say it.  God has led me down a road and into situations that I literally begged him not to. Crying and fighting with all my might for a different way. All the while knowing that I had no choice if I was to truly fear the God I love.  Sometimes, God calls us to things that we don't want or understand.  So we step out into the unknown knowing that we won't walk that road alone. That He will give strength and encouragement as we need it.  I find it so amazing how when the darkness seems to be swallowing me up and doubt has filled my mind...God is so faithful in providing me with hope. Encouraging me. When I just don't know what to do or where to turn he provides the answer when I ask...not always right away, often after waiting on him (and oh how difficult that waiting can be).

John Bevere says in his book "The Fear of the Lord",

"To fear man is to stand in alarm, anxiety, awe, dread, suspicion, or cowering before mortal men.  Those entrapped by this type of fear will live on the run, hiding from harm or reproach, constantly avoiding rejection and confrontation.  They become so busy safeguarding themselves that they are soon ineffective in their service for God.  Afraid of what man can do, they deny God what He deserves.

The fear of God includes, but is not limited to, respecting and reverencing Him, for we are told to tremble at His presence.  Holy fear gives God the place of glory, honor, revernce, thanksgiving, praise, and preeminence He deserves. (Notice it is what He deserves, not what we think He deserves.)

God holds this preeminent position in our hearts and lives as we esteem His desires over and above our own, hating what He hates and loving what He loves, trembling in His presence and at His Word.

Hear this and meditate on it:  You will serve whom you fear.

If you fear God, you will serve Him. If you fear man, you will serve man.  You must choose."

Are you afraid of man?  A better question is am I afraid of man?

I think until we walk down certain paths we are never aware of how difficult the road He has called us to may be.  Then on top of those difficulties we have to fight the temptations of the evil one, to doubt God's love and goodness, especially when things don't turn out as well as WE think they should.  Then we say, maybe I didn't hear God correctly and now he is punishing me.  At times in our life we are going to have to make choices that will not sit well with others and may even cause them to reject us, to be offended or hurt, or to question our integrity and even our walk with the Lord.  Too often, we stop because of our fears of man. We don't want to lose a friend or the respect we may have in our circles. We don't want to be outcasts or pitied. We don't want to be forced to leave the things or places that make us feel so very comfortable. We don't want to face the unknown. If you're like me you can't stand the thought of others being upset with you or not liking you.We want to stay right where we are, not stir up the pot, in case any of these seemingly difficult things occur. 

What God is teaching me is that when I am so concerned about what others think, I lack the fear of God. I let all those potential "consequences" get in the way of truly carrying out what God has asked of me. I am saying to God that His direction is only important when it gives me more friends or more respect. When it lifts ME up.  So where do we go when His direction brings us outside of those comfortable places? We start to doubt His goodness and mercy. We blame Him for putting us in that place, all the while having no idea where He is headed. We doubt the work He is doing in the world around us. Why? Because it is hurting US...not Him...US. When will we come to the realization that this world we live in is not about us. It is about Him! About building a relationship with Him and choosing to follow Him inspite of the rough roads we may travel. It's about being refined so that we may be proved genuine.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

We can let these hard trials cause us to bow down to other gods like bitterness, unbelief, anger, envy, self-pity and doubt. We can let the world tell us that we have been done an injustice, that life or people are treating us unfairly. Or we can fight and hold our heads high knowing that the God of this universe loves us.  We can have confidence that God knows, plans, and directs our lives for the good. We need to persevere. We can express our grief but we cannot give into bitterness and despair. And we can stand with courage because with Jesus as Brother and Saviour, we need not be afraid.  He who suffered for us will not abandon us. Jesus carries us through everything. Even as imperfect as we are. Even when we make a mistake and screw up, He loves us! When no one else seems to love us or even like us. If we have no respect from anyone. HE LOVES US!! I can't say it better than Laura Story, in her song Blessings, "When friends betray us. When darkness seems to win we know. The pain reminds us all, that this is not our home." And that there is a loving God who will give us the strength and love to live in this "home" until the time comes for us to see His beautiful face.

Psalm 55:16-18

But I call to God, and the Lord saves me.  Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.  He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

My prayer is that we will stand on His TRUTH over everything. That nothing will stand in the way of our Fear of God. That we will have the courage to overcome any fear or obstacle that may come our way and we will Stand! On His Truth. On His Love. And On His Amazing Grace!