What is fear? One definition is an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by expectations or awareness of danger.
The Holy Bible talks about fear. The book of Timothy 2-1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Fear comes in without permission. And when it comes does, it often comes “on the job.” It even comes into the homeless shelters and outreach organizations. It comes into your and my mind and body and heart and strength. It paints a picture of hopelessness and helplessness. It steals our joy, thankfulness, peace, caring and sharing, love and trust. It steals our togetherness. The list goes on and on.
It even breaks our concentration. To conquer the fear of homeless issues, we must stay confident. We must have courage, trust, love, and unity to fight this fear.
The Bible talks about fear once again. Psalm 23:4 says “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”
What are we fearful about? a job, to lose a sense of security. To lose people or possessions.
We are also fearful about the “past,” the “present,” and the “future.” We are even concerned about the safety and health of this country and other countries, the safety and health of this planet and other planets.
We are concerned even once again about the safety and health of this race, which is Afro American, and other “races!”
But have no fear, because John the Baptist is here! Hear the name of a fearless preacher. He’s not afraid to knock out homeless sin!
The Bible talks about fears once again in Psalm 27-1 and 3. Psalm 27-1 says “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:3 says, “Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.”
Nearly every time an angel appears in the Holy Bible, the first words he says are, “Do not be afraid.” Little wonder when the supernatural makes contact with the planet earth, it usually leaves the human observer flat on their faces in catatonic fear.
But the book of Luke talks of God making an appearance on earth in a form that does not frighten. This form that does not frighten is Jesus! Born in a barn and laid in a feeding trough, God finds at last a mode of approach that we need not fear.
What could be less scary than a newborn baby? Puzzled skeptics stalked Jesus throughout his ministry. How could a baby in Bethlehem, a carpenter’s son, be the Messiah from God? But a group of shepherds in a field had no doubt about who he was, for they heard the message of good omens straight from the angel.
Why did God take on a human form? The Bible gives many reasons, some densely theological and some quite practical. But the scene of Jesus as an adolescent, lecturing rabbis in the temple, gives one clue. For the first time, ordinary people could hold a conversation, a debate, with God in visible form.
Jesus could talk to anyone – his parents, a rabbi, a poor widow, a poor homeless organization — without first having to announce, “Don’t be afraid.” God incarnate is the end of fear.
And as I close, the Bible says in Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Love, always.
