Scripture
I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight.
Leviticus 26:36
Observation
Moses made a massive list of curses for disobedience, but the strangest one is this: those who refuse to obey God will run at the sound of blowing leaves in an autumn wind. Running from the sound of a leaf scraping on the pavement is the Emmy Award of fear. Even fear of the dark is more respectable than that!
Yet it happens, and it happens even to me. Fear can so grip my heart that I become afraid of the slightest tone of voice, gesture, news story and other leaves blowing in the wind.
When little things cause me anxiety I need to track down the source of my fear. According to Moses, fear is the result of disobeying God. If I will not trust God’s voice in what he commands, then fear will start to fan out into my life like green fungus spreading over white bread. Before long the tendrils of anxiety will reach into every thought about every detail. If I am afraid of little things then surely there must be some big thing in which I have resisted God.
Application
To escape fear, I need to trace my way back to the source of my disobedience. When I find the big thing God has asked me to trust him in, it will be easier to brace myself against the little things. I often think of fear like winter’s cold. Cold is inevitable, but shivering is optional. Shaking in the cold is my choice to surrender to the cold; trembling at the sound of autumn leaves is evidence of a life that buckles to fear. The way out is to obey God bravely in some big thing and let the faith warm every other choice we face.
Prayer
Father, you are to my soul the burning sun of warmth that changes my condition. I chose to come out of the north side, with my back turned toward you, and turn toward the east with the rays of your warmth coming over me. I choose obedience today and so I choose to act as a warmed man in a freezing world. I will not be afraid because obedience is my choice. Amen.
Morning Phil,
Love your journaling site. Choosing not to shiver today. You’re a gifted communicator. Love ya!
Phil, Very insightful observation and amazing song! God has, is and is going to continue to work all things for your good because you love Him (REALLY love Him) and are called according to His purpose. You are going to be an immeasurable blessing to the people of Evergreen Community Church!! Lance
Hi Phil,
Your devotion today has inspired me to continue to follow Christ’s plan and step out from the fear that has held me back for the past few years.
Last November I took the day off work to pray and journal with Ps Matt and during this time I felt the Lord call me out of SU and into my own business. The fear of failure and not being able to provide for my family etc has stopped me from ‘stepping out of the boat’ and follow God’s plan earlier. Last Monday, God? made me redundant and now I am totally at His mercy. It is a very scary but exciting place to be waiting on the Lord to reveal the business he wants me to buy / start / or possible even consult to….I don’t know.
Thank you for your Blog
Mitch
P.S I was reflecting on my faith journey the other day and came to the conclusion that learning how to journal has equipped me for life. Thank you for teaching me this precious skill.