WHEN FEAR GRIPS A HEART
Love always protects
The Most Excellent Way- Part X I Corinthians
13
During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit
on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the
crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy
soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a
high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of
the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy
soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the
caves and he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen." After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave. As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave. “Hah, he thought. “What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."
As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen." After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave. As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave. “Hah, he thought. “What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."
As the enemy drew closer
he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one
cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand.
To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they
moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his
cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. "Lord, forgive
me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider’s web
is stronger than a brick wall."
We all face times of great
trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget the victories that God would work
in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. As the great leader,
Nehemiah, reminded the people of Israel when they faced the task of rebuilding
Jerusalem, "In God we will have success!" (Nehemiah 2:20). What would
you do when fear grips your heart?
Whatever may be happening in your
life, remember with God, a mere spider’s web can become a strong wall of protection.
God knows how to protect his children. In our
series of messages on “the Most Excellent Way,”
today we will look at another aspect of what love does the best, Love always protects. Let me unpack
this very timely and crucial aspect of love.
I. LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS
On the morning of Wednesday November
9, millions of people both here in the USA and around the world woke up to the
new reality of Trump’s presidency. There is a sense of elation and vindication
among some and a deep sense of distrust and fear of uncertainty among others.
It appears to me that many people are genuinely afraid of their safety and the
safety of their loved ones. When fear grips a heart where would they turn? They
look to a strong leader who could protect them from their enemies and alleviate
their financial pressures. But honestly speaking could any human leader or
administration be able to provide such absolute security?
Writing to the Corinthians the
Apostle Paul exhibited a protective attitude toward the Church. His primary
role was to protect the gospel of Jesus Christ, to preserve the work that had
been growing in the city and become a powerful witness for Christ in a pagan
society.
Yet he realizes his human inadequacies when it comes to protecting
the bride of Christ, the Church from the evil one so he leads them to the one
and only one who loves them with a never ending love. Paul writes letters to
provide an alternative to fear, to build their faith and confidence in God, so
that they can go on living even in the midst of adversity. Here are a few
excerpts: He showed the Corinthians how God will not abandon them when they
face calamity and how he can bring beauty from ashes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this
all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are
hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not
destroyed. We always carry around in our body the
death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be
revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
He urged the Thessalonians to pray to God for his protection
from the evil one. “And
pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has
faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you
from the evil one.” 2 Thess 3:2-3
He encouraged the Ephesians to put on the
full armor of God so that they can stand the trial, “Finally, be strong in the
Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can
take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6: 10-11
He warned the Romans to stay away from divisive and antagonistic
people, and also he comforted them with these words, “Everyone has heard about
your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about
what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush
Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Romans
16:19-20
These are just a few incidents where
the Apostle Paul was drawing the attention of the believers in those churches
to look to God for His protection. Coming back to our text, where Paul says, “Love
always protects.” At times we wonder whether that is really true. Some may ask
us if God is love and there to protect me, why then did he let this calamity
happen to me? Why didn’t he step in when I needed him the most? I feel
abandoned, unprotected hence unloved. These questions are legitimate to ask and
God won’t be offended when we do ask Him.
If some of you feel betrayed and
unloved by God, I don’t have easy answers for you, however I would say this
though. Without a shadow of doubt, I believe, all the promises of God are Yeah
and Amen in Christ. 2Cor 1:20. Yes He can, and will be able to protect us from any known and unknown
dangers, if even he will not God is absolutely trustworthy. We also need to
remind ourselves that we live in a fallen world where people have free will, to
do good or evil to others. Sometimes the innocent become victims of the evil
choices of others. For example, the recent shootings in
Sen Bernardino where 14 innocent people were killed and 22 were injured. Or the
infamous Marathon Bombing.
Where is God’s protection in such
horrible moments one might ask? In moments like that God’s protection may come in
the form of peace, comfort, and healing. Or at times it may be through his tender,
loving reassuring words of love which give us courage to face adversity. When
we look at Paul what gave him assurance to go on living for Christ in spite of
all the hardships, was God’s assuring love. In the end he did not become a
victim to his fears but a victor. So he could say these words with confidence
to the Corinthians and to all those who might be struggling with one kind of
fear or the other.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face
death all day long; we
are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all
these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved
us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39.
This scripture reminds us that no
matter what happens to us nothing in this whole universe will be able to
separate us from his love. I believe that the Holy Spirit has inspired Paul to
write these words so that we feel protected and extend protection to others. Jesus
said to his disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another.” John 13:34. Loving one another is not an option but a command.
When we put feet to our words of love
for God and for one another, by seeing our good works people will come to know
that we are the followers of Christ. How can we practically do that? Firstly, our
expression of love must begin among those who are closest to us. It starts with
loving our spouses, or children (if you have any) so much that we don’t talk
about them disrespectfully in front of others.
Secondly, since we live in a
Christian community, we are commanded to love one another. It is best expressed
when: we look after each other’s needs not just in words but through actions.
When we protect each other instead of attacking and devouring one another. We
cover each other’s back so to say. We stand up for each other instead of
opposing one another. We respect, honor and are kind, and forgive those who
offend us. When someone is attacking and accusing the pastor or one of the
elders for no reason, we speak up for them and defend them instead of joining
with the accuser and the attacker. .
Perhaps this message has brought some
of your worst fears to the surface. The present political and economic
condition is not making you feel any safer. You are afraid of the uncertain and
the unknown future. I have good news for you. God loves you immensely. He is
inviting you to come to Him and find rest to your troubled soul. Confess all
your fears to Him. When you confess them to the lord, the peace that surpasses
all understanding fills your heart.
Begin your day by entrusting your
cares and concerns to the Lord through prayer and reading of His word. The
Bible is full of scriptures that address all kinds of fear. Here is one: “But now, this is what the Lord says he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the
rivers, they will
not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43:1-2. This scripture tells us that we are fully covered, and protected
by God.
Let me close with Aaronic high priestly Benediction:
“The Lord bless you
and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the
Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Amen
