We will not fear!

I had intended to write this email about making decisions, but as I write this weekly email to you there is news coming out of DeKalb that there has been a shooting on the campus of NIU. I have heard several emergency vehicles pass by our offices in the last few hours. Someone once shared with me the idea that every time you hear the sirens of a firetruck or an ambulance to lift the circumstance in prayer, even though you may be unaware of what the situation is.

Our hearts and our prayers go out to all the people in DeKalb. We especially pray that God would preserve the lives of those who have been injured. That he would comfort and give strength to those who are fearful and to those who have potentially lost loved ones.

I have had a sense of overwhelming hurt and loss in the last few weeks. I have heard too many stories of cancer, of shootings, of losses of jobs, of tragic deaths. The world we live in is filled with violence and danger. Life is so precious and so fleeting. We never know when our next breathe will be our last. It is too easy for someone to pick up a gun and go on a rampage. Or driving home for the driver in the other lane to come across unto our side. Or the forces of a natural disaster to bear down upon us.

In a post-911 era it would be very easy to live in fear. Danger lurks around almost every corner. But for those of us who are in Christ we have this hope from Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

I especially love verse 2. We will not fear! No matter what may happen. No matter how dangerous life may be, we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Did you catch that? Absolutely nothing!

Readings for next week:

February 17
Leviticus 4:1-5:19
Mark 2:13-3:6
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 10:1-2

February 18
Leviticus 6:1-7:27
Mark 3:7-30
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 10:3-4

February 19
Leviticus 7:28-9:6
Mark 3:31-4:25
Psalm 37:12-29
Proverbs 10:5

February 20
Leviticus 9:7-10:20
Mark 4:26-5:20
Psalm 37:30-40
Proverbs 10:6-7

February 21
Leviticus 11:1-12:8
Mark 5:21-43
Psalm 38:1-22
Proverbs 10:8-9

February 22
Leviticus 13:1-59
Mark 6:1-29
Psalm 39:1-13
Proverbs 10:10

February 23
Leviticus 14:1-57
Mark 6:30-56
Psalm 40:1-10
Proverbs 10:11-12