July 1

Written by Bill Grandi on July 3rd, 2019

My title for this devotion is Small Faith= Big Fear/Big Faith=No Fear

One of my favorite songs the church I pastor sings is “No Longer Slaves.” I Am They also sing it. While I don’t want you to even get a hint that I agree with Bethel Church or others of that ilk, this song ran through my head as I read Psalm 112 today. “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm trusting the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” (Vv.6-8).

The song I mentioned above has the lyrics: “I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God.” (repeats it).

I began wondering: what if the size of our faith was gauged by the size of our fear? What if the title for my devotion-Small Faith= Big Fear/Big faith=No Fear was a good gauge? Where would I turn up? Where would you turn up? Taking my cue from Psalm 112, here are some legitimate questions:

  • How unmoveable am I?
  • How afraid of bad news am I?
  • Do I trust the Lord as I should?
  • How steady is my heart?
  • Do I look on my foes as a victor or one defeated?

Maybe that equation is not that far off?

“Father, may I be able to say with confidence-not just singing a song-that I’m not a slave to fear-because I am your child.”

 

3 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    Bill, I think the equation makes a lot of of sense. Faith is also grown…and when that faith is grown, fear lessons. It does not come overnight. I wouldn’t leave trust out of the equation either…
    I think trust=faith in a lot of ways.
    Do I trust God… really? When things are hard, do I trust that God is in control? Do I trust HIS will for my life. There are times I don’t. There are times I am frustrated and angry.
    I cannot have much faith in one I do not trust.

    Good thoughts this morning… thanks.

  2. Bill, you pose some sobering and thoughtful questions here for all of us. Definitely worthy of pondering and assessing, that’s for sure!
    Lord, let our faith increase and our fear decrease . . .
    Blessings!

  3. floyd says:

    I admit I dread bad news too much. May my reverence, fear, and respect be to Him first, since He controls all things anyway.

    A needed reminder.