“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:9-11
A recently popular show, “Fear Factor,” was designed around the concept of having contestants face some of their deepest fears head on in a competitive manner. Their ability to do so quickly and successfully carried the potential to win them some significant rewards. While there are definitely some things to fear in this life, I want to assure you that God is not one of them!
A Gallup poll was once taken asking people why they didn’t trust God with their lives. Their responses were intriguing: Fear that He would send them someplace they didn’t want to go OR Fear that He would make them be with someone whom they didn’t like. In a word…they didn’t dare trust Him because they feared Him!
I’m not sure where this concept started (fear as in being afraid, not fear as in revere), but somewhere along the line we determined that those who choose to do things God’s way somehow lose. Thus, many avoid His ways. Quite the contrary: God’s ways work and He can be absolutely trusted in them!
So many people think that following God will take all the fun out of their life. What they don't realize is that God created them to have fun and enjoy life; finding Him is the beginning of the greatest adventure of their life, filled with more fun and happiness than they could imagine! Not only will God’s ways always be perfect…they will be perfect for you…exactly what you need…because He is the Perfect Father (see above Scripture again). And the rewards from not fearing God, but embracing His ways are not only significant…they are eternally great!
I don't know what new opportunities God will bring your way in 2010, but I do know that He can be trusted in them...you need not fear them because you need not fear Him! Trust Him to bring exactly what you need in the coming year. It may not always be what you want, but it will be perfect for you...in timing, magnitude and style!
