When You Fear, Look to God

When You Fear, Look to God
Jason Lapp
March 27, 2020

What should we do in times of fear? Lets just be honest, uncertainty about life often produces fear. In the Old Testament there is a story about a king who had a dream. The dream of this king troubled him and he wanted his magicians and enchanters to come tell him the dream. He also demanded that they tell him what the dream meant. If they were unable to tell him his dream and its interpretation, he would kill them all. By now you know I am talking about king Nebuchadnezzar.

This was a time of great fear for all of Nebuchadnezzar’s men. I imagine there was great panic. When the men appeared in the king’s presence, they asked him to tell them the dream so they could tell him the meaning of the dream. The king would not tell them the dream. The men responded, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh” (Daniel 2:10-11).

These men were right in what they said. This was something beyond man’s ability. But this was also the problem, they were looking toward man rather than God.

I believe this is too often the way we get in fearful times. During this pandemic we keep waiting for a cure. When will we get something that may bring relief? It is not wrong to hope for relief, but we tend to be more consumed with thoughts of relief from man rather than stopping to pray to the Sovereign King. Which brings us to Daniel.

Daniel doesn’t seem to panic or be fearful. Rather Daniel simply asks the king for a little more time so he can go talk to the One who can do the impossible. Daniel heads back to his room to let his three friends know so they can pray together. God in his kindness reveals the mystery to them. He stops again to bless the Lord:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons, he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter” (2:20-23).

Are you fearful? May I encourage you to stop and pray to our Sovereign God. He knows every matter. He is wise and has a purpose behind all events in life. He knows what is in the darkness though we cannot see it. Thank him for being the God who gives wisdom to people. Life may seem a bit out of control right now, but God is still in control. We need to look to him.

Jason Lapp - Elder