I was reminded of the Apostle Paul's encouragement to Timothy (and all Believers) that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind."
This week's terror attack in Paris was meant by the enemy to instill great fear. It's the M.O. of terrorists... and by their very definition, it's what they want. (Photo via Dallas News)
But as I watched the various responses from around the world unfold on my computer screen, the one that struck me the most was the Wednesday night vigil in the Place de la Republique, Paris.
The entire square was filled with people; there to honor those slain in cold blood that day, and there to make a statement—a very important statement:
NOT AFRAID.
Those words were spelled out in lights and hung among the huge crowd.
News reports said the gathering there was very quiet considering the amount of people. However, the pens held high in the air—to signify a solidarity with those who value freedom of speech—and their signs that read, "Je Suis Charlie," (I Am Charlie)—again a statement of support for the magazine Charlie Hebdo; the target of the Jihadists—spoke loud and clear.
As did those words in lights: NOT AFRAID.
I was reminded of the Apostle Paul's encouragement to Timothy (and all Believers) that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Tim.1:7)
And ultimately I thought about what Jesus said that "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
Terrorism rightly makes us angry—it is a monstrous injustice. And the enemy would love to make each one of us paralyzingly fearful. (Photo via Times of Israel)
But the antidote to fear is God's perfect LOVE through Jesus. (See 1 John chapter 4)
As the enemy intensifies his attack, now is the time to be NOT AFRAID.
Remember what the Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:6-10...
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."
God is with us... be NOT AFRAID!
