Fear is not from God . . .

Exodus 16; Job 34; Luke 19; 2 Corinthians 4

This morning’s news gave a death rate statistic on the coronavirus compared to the death rate of ordinary flu viruses. I went to a website that tells how that statistic was determined and it proved the old saying that statistics can be manipulated to make them say whatever is wanted. For instance, if non-reported cases are included, this ‘scary’ number is not accurate, but for obvious reasons, those cases cannot be included.

If this was not personal, I would pay little attention to it, but it feels personal. I feel as if someone or something is trying to put fear into my heart, never mind most of the planet. I know fear is not from God (see yesterday’s post) so where is it coming from? I also know that some people love to exaggerate. Is this part of what is happening?

In Job, another trait of humanity shows up. Job is accused again and again of lying. His accusers are certain God is punishing him for something he did even though Job insists otherwise. Here is what one of them said:

“Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight. Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men. For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.” (Job 34:35–37)

Yet at the end of this book, here is what God says:

After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7)

He then said that Job would pray for them and “I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:8b)

These friends did a lot of yacking without knowing or understanding the truth. Is that what the media is doing as it makes reports about this virus? Some accuse the media of trying to boost their market by terrifying people then reporting the results of those fears. To be honest, it makes me wonder if the world is going off balance.

At the very least, humanity can be fickle. In Luke 19, Jesus enters Jerusalem and His disciples rejoiced. The other gospels included crowds of people, yet very soon the crowds would be saying, “Crucify Him!” It happens in our world in a less significant way with politicians. They get elected amid cheers and soon the same crowd that cheered is throwing insults.

2 Corinthians 4 does offer some explanations for the contrary ways we display. It says that Christians operate in a different realm and way of thinking than non-believing people because . . .

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:4–7)

Yet even as Christ lives in us, the clay jars are all too obvious at times. We can be just like those who do not know His grace and power. We can be too focused on the “things that are seen” rather than the eternal things not seen.

I’ve been saying that the panic over this virus or any other threat to our well-being is really about the fear of dying. Today’s reading is chapter 4 but chapter 5 begins with this:

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Corinthians 5:1–9)

I needed to read that. What is the worst thing that could happen? Contracting this deadly virus and going home to be with Jesus? Or staying here and be afraid of dying like many are?

APPLY: Confess all fears, rethink the source of them and trust Jesus. Tell others the good news — that Jesus loves them and promises everlasting life to all who put their faith in Him.