PENTECOST • 10

How Can We Overcome Fear in Our Lives?

This week’s readings share the theme of faith/trust and reminds that we can come before God without fear of rejection because God will make up for whatever we lack. Both the Old and New Testaments, teach that it is this divine guarantee of being trusted, loved and being promised a share in God’s life that encourages us to place all our faith, hope and love in God. This in turn empowers us to be steadfast in faith, hope and love towards one another.

SONGS FOR PRAYER

SET PRAYER

(Pray this over our nation and over God’s people in Singapore this week as we celebrate our National Day)

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
    on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
    and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
    a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
    and by its great might it cannot rescue.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
    on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
    and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
    because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
    even as we hope in you.


reading for: Tuesday Night, 2 August

Luke 12:32-40

“Do Not Be Afraid”

  • READ

    Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to fulfill God’s ultimate plan of salvation accomplished in his death, resurrection, and ascension (Luke 9:22, 30–31, 44–45, 51). In 12:1–3, 8–12 Jesus speaks about what will ultimately be revealed and how the Spirit will ultimately teach disciples what to say in challenging situations. In 12:4– 7 he reminds them who is ultimately in control and therefore should be feared. Following that Jesus teaches that riches are not the ultimate concern for one’s life (12:13–21), nor should disciples be overly anxious about such things as life, food, or clothing (12:22–30). Rather, the ultimate concern of life entails being rich toward God and seeking God’s kingdom (12:21, 31). The text at hand will build on the theme of possessions and the Lord’s Return.

    The text opens (v. 32) with “Do not be afraid.” This reminds of the Angel’s command given to Zechariah (1:13), Mary (1:30), the shepherds (2:10), Simon Peter (5:10), Jairus (8:50), and the disciples (12:4, 7). In these instances, fear is a human response preventing us to see God’s will and ways of working. In this context, fear means failing to let go of one’s anxieties over the basic necessities for life (v. 22–30a) and forgetting that God is the loving divine provider of our needs (12:30b-32; 11:1–13). Jesus’ “little flock” (v. 32), are not to fear because it is God’s good pleasure to give them the kingdom in the first place.

    It is important to note that “kingdom” does not simply mean eternal life in life after death and final resurrection. Here “kingdom” refers to God’s active reign over heaven, which Jesus is now establishing on earth through his ministry (1:33; 4:43; 8:1; 9:11; 11:20; 17:20–21). It involves God’s lordship over human hearts, minds, values, and actions. God has delightedly decided to include us in this royal rule so that our identity and activity are totally transformed. His decision is the basis by which we are not to fear. It is also empowers us to be free to give our resources (v.33).

    The passage’s ultimate focus involves Jesus’ climactic 2nd Coming, when God’s kingdom (including our lives within this kingdom) will become complete and manifest reality. The immediate concern in the text is on the tension between certainty and uncertainty in relation to his coming. On the one hand, Jesus’ ultimate coming is certain; hence the exhortations to be fully prepared. On the other hand, the exact timing of his coming is uncertain; hence the negative thief-in-the-night illustration in verse 39.

    The image of servants awaiting the coming of their master from a wedding banquet helps stress the importance of our consistency and attentiveness in anticipation of Jesus’ coming. The servants who are congratulated (v. 37a, 38b) are those whom the master finds vigilant as they actively anticipate their master’s certain return, even though they are uncertain of its timing. In a highly unusual move, Jesus declares that their master will take on the role of servant to honor and wait upon such vigilant servants. The ultimate reward for diligent watchfulness involves receiving the benefits of Jesus’ own servanthood ministry.

  • REFLECT

    What is the ultimate concern of our lives? Is it His kingdom? Because it was God’s pleasure to include us in His divine reign.

    Are you free with your possessions and time? His delightful decisions for us empower us to use these for his kingdom in the present as we anticipate its ultimate coming in the future.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 3 August

Genesis 15:1-6

“Fear Not”

  • READ

    In the previous chapter, Abram’s nephew, Lot, has been abducted by the enemy kings who have destroyed Lot’s city. Abram goes and fights these kings and rescues Lot. “After these things” Abram might have feared that the defeated kings would return in force and overwhelm him. But God tells Abram not to fear because He is his ‘shield’ and will have a great ‘reward (v.1).

    But what burdens Abram heavier than either of these things? God had promised him a seed to inherit Canaan, which should be multiplied as the dust of the earth, yet he was going hence childless. He who should be possessor of his house under these circumstances would be Eliezer of Damascus (v.2).

    God replies that it is not an adopted son he shall have but a supernatural one (v.4). And now what does God do to Abram? And what does He ask Abram to do? God gives him an ‘object’ lesson, a challenge (v.5). And what does He then promise him? Is Abram’s faith able to measure up to this incredible promise (v.6)? And in what does this faith of Abram result in (v. 6)? These words, “counted it to him for righteousness,” reveal that Abram had ‘right-standing’ with God because of his faith. This is a generous grace and gift of God.

    Abram was a sinner, born into a state of wrongness, but God now puts him by an act of grace into a state of rightness, not because of Abram’s righteous character but on the ground of his belief in God’s spoken word. Nor does this righteous state into which he is brought make it true that thereafter he is without a flaw in his character, for he is guilty of many things and continues to sin. But he has a right standing before God, and because of it, God can deal with him in time and eternity as He cannot deal with other men who do not have this standing.

  • REFLECT

    The question is sometimes asked whether Abram — and for that matter, any Old Testament Israelite or Jew — was justified or made righteous just as we are in these modern days after Christ. The answer is yes. They were made righteous through their faith and hope in God and coming under His leadership and guidance (rule) just as we are today made righteous when our faith and hope are in Christ and we come under His kingdom rule. Jesus Himself said that Abram rejoiced to see His day, and he saw it and was glad (John 8:56). Abram knew and trusted that God would keep His promise of a Messiah (king). Read Romans 4:23–25 prayerfully. Who raised Jesus from the dead? What does it mean that ‘God will credit righteous – for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead?’ Are external circumstances in life threatening to overwhelm you? What has God already done for you? What is He saying to you right now?

reading for: Thursday Night, 4 August

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

“Now Faith is the assurance of things hoped for…”

  • READ

    Hebrews 11 describes ‘faith’ in the ‘active’ sense. It is dynamic, ‘alive’ and gives substance to things that are neither present nor visible. In other words, faith makes real in the present God’s things, often thought of as future —such as God’s own faithfulness (v. 11).

    Verse 2 starts off the long series of important Bible figures “ancestors” who were approved or attested (by God) in and through faith. In various ways, the faith mentioned here is trust in God. Verse 3, is the first of eighteen sentences in this section that begin with the words “by faith” (v. 3-31). In this particular verse, the writer tells the readers that faith allows them to take hold of the otherwise unknowable truth that by God’s word all creation came into being. So as by faith the believers experience the present reality of God’s hoped-for future, in the same way, by the word of God things were brought into being that once had no existence. This implies that God’s word is the force or source that acts in faith to bring into existence that which once did not exist. Creation testifies to this.

    The next section, verses 8–12, focus on the faith of Abraham and Sarah. Three times (v. 8, 9, 11) the opening words of a sentence are “by faith,” produces some effect in the life of the person mentioned. In verse 8 the first example of faith in action is Abraham’s obeying God when he receives his call to depart from his homeland of Mesopotamia in order to go out to a land that he is promised—without knowing where or seeing what it is. Because of his faithfulness, Abraham becomes heir to a new land. The story of Abraham’s call and his obedient response to it occur in Genesis 12.

    Verse 9 tells how Abraham dwells by faith in the promised land. Abraham is never the possessor of the land that is promised to him; rather, he wanders on the land and labours there without owning the land. His nomadic existence is recognized by the reference to his “living in tents,” and the fact that his heirs continue for some time to live in that same way is registered by the mention of Isaac’s and Jacob’s living in tents and their being fellow heirs with Abraham to the promise (see Gen. 12, 13, 15, 18, 23, 35).

    In verse 10 the writer clarifies how and why Abraham is able to live as he does: His vision is not strictly earthbound; rather, Abraham looks beyond the temporal binding of his life to the full reality of God and the fulfillment of God’s promises (v. 10). This city of God contrasts with the tents in which Abraham and his family live. God’s “place” has a permanence, a security, a stability that goes beyond mere earthly existence.

    Verses 11–12 show the greatness of God’s power and faithfulness in promise, through the description of Abraham as being (for the purposes of procreation) “as good as dead”. It is evident that God’s power alone, working through Abraham’s faith, brings about the miracle of the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham. So God is faithful to the promise made to Abraham, and in turn Abraham and Sarah by their faith are able to experience God’s true faithfulness.

  • REFLECT

    In what areas of your life are you ‘actively’ trusting in God? How could you grow to trust Him more?

reading for: Friday Night, 5 August

Psalm 33:12-22

“the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him”

  • READ

    The psalmist calls upon all the righteous to rejoice in the LORD because it is fitting. (v.1-3). Praise is the natural response of God’s people for receiving His benefits. But their praise should be spontaneous and fresh—new mercies demand new songs (see other scriptures about singing a new song in 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1). It should also be done well or skillfully. The best talent that a person has should be offered in praising Him.

    In verses 4 – 5, the reason for praise, detailed throughout this psalm, is summarized in these verses. The Lord’s Word and work (all He does) are dependable, and the LORD is righteous and loyal through His unfailing love (v. 18, 22).

    Verses 6 – 11 develop the thought in verse 4 that His Word and work are reliable. First the psalmist speaks of the power of the word of the LORD in Creation (v. 6-9). Because God spoke, Creation came into existence. What God decrees, happens. Therefore, all peoples of the world should worship Him. Then he speaks about of the power of the LORD in history (v. 10-11). God’s plans foil the plans of the wicked nations. His purposes are sustained, no matter what people endeavor to do. Such a powerful God should be praised.

    Verses 12 – 19 develop the idea that the LORD is righteous, just (v. 4a), and loyal (v. 5b). The psalmist is joyful about being part of God’s elect people, recipients of His loyal love. He states that God sees all people from His exalted position in heaven (2 Chron. 6:21, 30, 33, 39; 30:27) and He sees even their inner thoughts (Ps. 33:13-15). God does not save the self-confident (v. 6-17) but saves and preserves those who trust and hope in Him (33:18-19; “hope” in v. 20, 22 and unfailing love in v. 5, 22).  

    The conclusion of the psalm is a reassertion of faith in the LORD. God’s people demonstrate their faith in three ways. First, they wait in hope (25:5, 21; 39:7; 62:5; 71:5) for deliverance from the Lord as their Help (30:10; 40:17; 46:1; 54:4; 63:7; 70:5; 115:9-11; 146:5) and Shield (comments on 3:3). Second, they rejoice in Him whom they trust (33:21). Third, they pray for His unfailing love (v. 5, 18) to rest on them. So they are confident (hope) He will complete His salvation project.

  • REFLECT

    Which word or phrase captures your attention or imagination? Commit it to memory and use it in your prayers when you talk to God. When you pause to pray in your day, if there is opportunity, pray the word/phrase or verse over somebody else.

Season of PentecostCNL