The Bottom Line
When I was a kid in 1968, Dolly Parton released the song, “Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark.” I thought it was a cool song and when we went to visit family in Southwest Missouri, I asked Uncle Dennis if he’d heard, “Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark.“ The next time we visited, we asked the same question and it became a family joke. After that, sometimes when we’d get together someone would ask, “Have you heard the song, Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark?” We had a lot of laughs out of that question.
However, fear is no laughing matter and it can destroy our faith if we allow it. We all have opportunities to be afraid. The words “afraid” and “fear” are used 593 times in the KJV Bible. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” A lot of people are running scared because of the deadly Coronavirus. However, there is protection from this virus and it’s faith in the Word of God. Psalm 91 is known as the soldier’s psalm for protection. But it’s God’s Word and it applies to anyone who believes and trusts in His promises. Let’s read some of His promises:
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. The Lord says, ’I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation‘“ (select portions of Psalm 91 NLT).
This scriptural promise of protection is only for those who live (remain) in Christ as their Savior, healer, and protector. It’s for those who choose to trust in His name. A godly man once said: “Either the Bible is true, or it isn’t. If it isn’t, let’s throw the whole thing out. If it is, let’s begin to act like it is.”
In Mark 5:36, Jesus said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.” Jesus knows that our first response to bad news is to be afraid. But He tells us to treat the symptom of fear with a healthy dose of faith — faith that God’s Word is the truth and we can depend on it.
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 56:3,4 NLT).
The Bottom Line: Refuse to run scared. Claim the promises of Psalm 91 and trust in God.
Pastor Jimmy Tucker
(620) 223-1483
Diamond Community Church
Worship 10:45 a.m.