Reflect
This passage brings up a fundamental question, “Who will you fear?” If we concern ourselves first with what people think of us, it’s hard to follow Christ. The world’s rejection for aligning ourselves with Him is a real possibility. The commentary I read said “to fear the multitude and to turn away from God is to make the wrong choice.” Even amid these hard choices, God cares about our anxiety, and Jesus continues to assure us that the fear of God, respect for Him, and making the difficult choices to follow, means He takes care of us. This is a God who knows our needs so well that tiny details like the hairs on our head are counted. He cares intimately for you! By choosing to place our “fear” in the right place we don’t have to fear anything from anyone else.
Apply
What connotation does the word “fear” have for you? Positive or negative? Where is the weight of your “fear” today? In Him or in others? Rest in His intimate knowledge of you and care for you. He longs to assure you of His sufficiency for your anxieties.
Pastor Christine
Pray
- For those who need to be encouraged in heart and united in love.
- Ask God to increase your awareness of the wisdom and knowledge in Jesus Christ.
- Pray through the prayer page in the bulletin.
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor, his family and his intern Dave Falk.