Today, I was listening to Crosspoint Church in Nashville. One of the songs they sang was new to me. With all new songs, I love to listen to the lyrics and really hear them in my life. The song was Promises by Maverick City Music. The second verse goes like this:
God from age to age,
Though the earth may pass away, Your word remains the same
Your history can prove there’s nothing
You can’t do, You’re faithful and True
Though the storms may come and the
Winds may blow I’ll remain steadfast
And let my heart learn when You speak a word it will come to pass
Let those words ring over you for a minute… “Though the storms may come and the winds may blow I’ll remain steadfast…”
I think it’s safe to say we’re in a storm right now. Unfortunately it hasn’t been a light thunderstorm either. It’s felt like an earthquake where we were struck hard at first, but then the after shocks just kept coming and coming. This time has put fear in the heart of many. And not just the slight, maybe there’s monsters in my closet fear, but full fledged scared to leave the house fear.
How do we stay steadfast when the world seems to be full of fear? Fear of death. Fear of sickness. Fear of loss. Someone says something in a differing opinion and now we have a fear of broken friendships. The media has instilled a fear of never having a normal again. The fears keep piling on and at this state in the pandemic America is in full anxiety mode.
As I sat in my living room attending church this morning I kept replaying this song in my head and realized the answer to this overwhelming fear America has was right there in the chorus of the song.
Great is Your faithfulness to me
Great is Your faithfulness to me
From the rising sun to the setting same
I will praise Your name
Great is Your faithfulness to me
I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He’ll never let me down
God is faithful to us. In the anxiety, in the fear, in the crazy and overwhelming. God is faithful and deserves to be praised. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are anchored to the ground. The storm may come, but we won’t get swept up in it. We sit tight in the arms of God knowing we’re safe and secure. God will never let us down.
When our hearts are tuned to sing God’s praise, fear is chased away. God is the ruler over fear. He rules over the pandemic, over the uncertainty. When our lives are filled with God’s blessing, focusing on Him and His promises our hearts have no room for fear.
In the last few weeks, I’ve been compiling worship music I love and started a playlist on Spotify. Now I’m a girl who loves country music, like give me my boots and Thomas Rhett and I’m a happy woman. But during this time, I’ve found the only true rest for my soul is worship music. My playlist is constantly going, reminding me of God’s promises. Reminding me of His truth, His faithfulness, His steadfastness.
GOD IS THE GOD OVER FEAR.
Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Luke 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
And on and on… The Bible gives us so many verses in which God reminds us not to fear. When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on water, he was capable of doing so until the fear of the storm overtook him. If he had kept his eyes on Jesus, he could have stood on those stormy waves forever.
So my question to you is, where are your eyes? Are they on the news stories, the daily numbers, the unknown school year? Or are they on the Father. The creator of all things. The steadfast rock on which we stand? Is your heart filled with fear of the future or the praises of our King? One brings death and panic, the other brings a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Take time today to really give God your fear. Read through the Psalms and hear David’s heart. Among the uncertainty that David faced, he chose to praise God. To relinquish his hold on fear and grab tight to what he knew was true of our Heavenly Father. Fill your mind with worship music, scripture and prayer. When fear starts to creep in, start singing God’s praises. The devil is a liar who wants us to live in fear, God is truth who gives us peace and freedom from fear. So choose your side, for me, I’m choosing freedom.
Link to song: Promises by Maverick City Music
Epaphras Ministry 