Finding Peace and Safety In A World of Fear and Peril

It seems that every night on the news there are numerous broadcasts about wars and battles being fought. We are told about terrorist attacks that have taken place, as well as terrorist attacks that could happen. Dirty bombs and weapons of mass destruction are new phrases that are constantly being used. Our neighbor may not simply be another citizen in today’s environment: he or she may be a member of a sleeper cell of a terrorist group. We suspiciously look at everyone and everything that is different or unusual.

In the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001 , no country - not even the super power of the United States - feels safe any longer. Every country has something or someone to fear. It seems that our world is on the brink of something terrible - its own destruction by man through conflict, whether it is chemical, biological or nuclear.

We are told to fear biological and chemical attacks. The United States military has started smallpox vaccinations in the event of a terrorist biological attack with the plaque that was once considered to be eliminated. In addition, many countries now have, or soon will have, the ability to strike other nations with biological attacks through the use of missiles. Some of these countries have unstable leadership and/or ideology that threaten others, even those within their own borders. The dictator Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons against the Kurds in his own country.

The massive fear of the Cold War has now taken on a new face - a nameless one. In the past, the United States and the USSR stared each other down with their nuclear weapons pointed towards one another. Now the fear does not come from the Russians; it comes from rogue nations who seemed almost insignificant before. Look at the conflict between North and South Korea as a prime example. They share a land mass and a terrible past that threaten their own futures. The risk is not for North and South Korea only though: the use of nuclear weapons by North Korea would impact the entire world because of the ramifications upon the earth’s environment.

Many people (including Americans, Israelis and others) are more fearful of terrorist attacks than a war though. How can anyone feel safe with the numerous warnings that are issued almost daily? Israelis keep track of each other closely using cell phones. Americans monitor a newly implemented color-coded warning system. Greeks view November 17 not as a date but as a group of terrorists. 911 used to convey thoughts of emergency phone number; now people have visions of the Twin Towers in New York City collapsing and thousands of people dying. Is there any doubt that our world is not safe?

We now recognize the terrible evil and danger around us. Constant reminders are always their on our local news station in the event that we begin to feel secure. In the midst of this great fearfulness and threat, however, Christians can take courage because God’s Word warns us that the world would become dangerous; it also assures us, however, that God would help us through these difficult times.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. ^{^[1]}

Does that sound like the news today? Wars, battles, famines, diseases, earthquakes . . . Our world is afflicted by these terrible tragedies daily. As Christians though, we can face these tragedies with confidence that God will help us. We can cry out, as the psalmist did in Psalms 118:

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let

Israel

now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the L ord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.^{^[2]} [emphasis added]

The psalmist clearly faced a crisis. He says that “all nations compassed me about.” That is not a simple test of faith; it is clearly a life and death situation. The psalmist found strength in His faith in God. This does not mean that his situation simply disappeared and he lived in a utopian dream. No. It meant that when faced with a choice of fearing man (or his situation) or trusting God, he determined to trust the Lord who delivered him. We too can trust God to strengthen and deliver us from the terrible times that we face. Just as the psalmist still had to face his crisis, so must we but we can do it with confidence and joy (or as the psalmist says, “song”).

Does the crisis mean that God is testing us or has forsaken us? Not at all. We should remember that God warned us that this time would come upon the world. He also told us to recognize it when it happened. It is during this perilous time that we should look up for the return of our Savior and Lord.

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.^{^[3]}

Are you faithfully looking up for the return of Jesus Christ or are you being caught up in the fear of the world? When we have our eyes on Christ, we will have His peace in our hearts. We must focus on Him though, not upon the news that invades our homes through the newspapers, television, radio and Internet. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome : Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. ^{^[4]}

Through prayer and Bible study, we can have confidence that God will take care of us, despite the trials and tribulations that the world may face. In reading the Old Testament stories, we will learn how God protected the Israelites against the mighty armies that came against them. In the story of Moses, we read how God protected them from the plagues that came against the people. When we read how David was saved from the armies of Saul, we understand that God does help His people - individually and corporately.

In our prayer time, we come to learn of God’s great love and mercy towards us. In the midst of the Father’s Presence, fear flees us and faith fills our soul. It is then that we understand why we have nothing to fear, only things that we need to take to God in prayer. When we turn off the noise of the world, we learn to hear the peace and silence of God. It is then that we understand that in the chaos and fear of the world, there is a place of peace and security - His Presence.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. ^{^[5]}

^{^[1]}Matthew 24: 6 - 8

^{^[2]}Verses 1 through 14.

^{^[3]}Luke 21:29-33

^{^[4]}Romans 15:13

^{^[5]}Philippians 4:6-9