Whip It Up!

The subject of fear is always one of those touchy subjects in this culture.
Who doesn't enjoy a fair and the rides they offer? (other than me!)
The roller coasters and chair drops ... always long lines.
Or the haunted house hoping to shock you?
And don't forget the splatter movies so prevalent this time of year!

People are drawn to fear.
It excites.
There is nothing like the adrenaline rush it brings!
And yet fear is not what God desires for any of us.

We are suppose to live at peace.
We are suppose to live in an assurance of safety.
We are supposed to only fear God.
And our enemy, Satan, longs for what is God's.
Fear, due Him, is no exception.

So, man blinded to eternal truth - seeks out fear.
And slowly is weaned away from being where God is.
But where Satan rules.
And becomes lost to the safety God offers.

Of course my example above is only a metaphor for all we do which is against God, against our conscience .... it brings excitement and possibly fear ... when caught!
But then, that is part of the fun, the rush if you will.

And this morning - yet another terrorist attack in New York yesterday.
And hour after hour of coverage on cable and broadcast TV.
In fact, before 10:00 am, there was only one channel not  dedicated to the story here in Seattle!
Over sharing of the story.
Blowing it up.
Hoping to create fear - so you will watch for more news!
But also pushing lost man further into fear and hopelessness.
Creating a dependent victim mentality.

And people wonder why look-a-like crimes are committed.
DUH!
Really simple psychology here.
"I want to be important, if even for only a moment ..."
And evil is multiplied.
Man is pushed further from God.
And the cycle continues.

For as much as talking heads want you to think they have the answer.
That government can and will care for you ....

Yet man's only hope has always been and continues to be faith in God.
And in God's love for us.

Yet as Daniel's friends observed, when thrown into the Babylon furnace,
"Even if God does not save us from these flames, He is still God."

 There is nothing more to say.
Your hope is in God alone,
Or nothing at all!
For all else are idols
Who can help you ....

And your only security is in the eternity supplied by Jesus sacrifice.