Proverbs 3:25 “Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes”
Heading home to Scotland with my friend after our trip to Belize, we were at Orlando Airport. We had a wheelchair and were waiting for our flight to be called. Six hours after the flight was due (we had 3 delays) the flight was cancelled. We joined the long line of people to be allocated a hotel and get info of when we would fly.
Probably around three hours later we were getting out of a taxi the airline provided, having arrived at the hotel in Tampa where they had located us. My friend was using his crutches and slowly walking up to the main door, I had the bags and all I could think of was lying down on a bed in the next hour. We waited another hour in the line to check in and then started making our way towards the lifts. I was holding open a door for my friend, when he slowly pirouetted a couple of times around his left walking crutch, getting lower to the floor each time. He fell the last short distance and then went very stiff and still, and a lot of foam and stuff came out of his mouth and nose.
I froze in my mind for a second as I got down beside him instinctively. All I could think was “how can I explain to his wife that he died in a hotel in Florida, after all, he had been through….”.
Another man at the hotel kneeled beside me, he told me my friend was having a Grand Mal Seizure and would breathe again in a minute, he knew, he said, as his son had his first-ever Grand Mal Seizure at the basketball-only a couple of days earlier.
My friend started to breathe again, the ambulance men came and checked his vital stats, and insurance, then took him to the hospital.
I got everything into our room, showered, called the airline and explained, and then set off to the hospital to see what was happening.
I sat with my friend in a small curtained cubical in a row of small curtained cubicles and we chatted as we waited on the doctors. We reminded each other of the adventures we had experienced over the last three weeks, how we had seen God move in so many people’s lives. We talked with quiet voices so as not to disturb others.
We heard the person in the next cubicle starting to cry and sob, and we were concerned for them, and we asked if they were ok. It was a young lady and she said we could pull the curtain between us back a bit. She told us she was crying as she listened to our stories, as she was – in her own words, “a backslidden Christian” and she wanted to recommit her life to God that day. We prayed with her. The doctor and nurse came then and we never saw her again
KNOWLEDGE
When we are so clearly instructed not to allow something to happen, we can deduce that it is a possibility that this can happen. There are things that will happen that could cause us to be alarmed. The following verse, which we will look at tomorrow helps us see why we should not need to feel fear, anxiety, and stress. But…… really, with all that’s already been said in the preceding 3 chapters, we should already have a good insight now as to why we don’t need to fear when there is a sudden, and terrible set of circumstances.
As Christians today, our world view is one of common grace, so that God has the sunshine on the wicked and on the good {Matt 5:45} – just as does the rainfall. So we do not live with an expectation that somehow anyone who is wicked will be judged now, in this world, for all to see. Although sometimes we may think we would like to see that, we understand that this is just the human emotion – and a bit like John wanting to call down fire [Luke 9:54}. Rather God in his mercy and patience allows people to continue on, and his involvement is simply to hand them over to [Rom 1:24] to follow after the areas their hearts long for.
So what is this verse, if it’s not about today?
For me, it talks very much to the end of my life, and the end of others lives. I’m not sure we have a revelation of the seriousness of what faces those people who have not accepted Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. There is indeed a very sudden terror, for those who have rejected Jesus. Is it possible that we should be motivated to greater concern by this scripture, and that this concern should be for a lost world, not for ourselves? Yes, we have no reason to feel afraid, but do we have a reason, and motivation to get fully engaged and involved in the greatest rescue mission the world has ever known. I am asking myself this question today!
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word used for sudden is pronounced “pit’om” and appears 25 times in the Old Testament. Its English meaning is translated as, suddenly and, all at once [ESV]. Here in verse 25, we pick up on the idea of “unexpected”, or “all at once”. There are moments in life when everything changes, we are not prepared for these moments often, but God is telling us here to keep our eyes on Him even when the unexpected appears uninvited at our door.
WISDOM: What is your position and involvement in rescue?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Positivity helps others see the light at the end of the tunnel. Accept the facts, and focus on the answer.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [do not let fear or terror of unexpected calamities, or instant dread of shame, or the ravages of destruction, that come from those who are hostile to God, reach, befall or besiege you.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me keep my eyes on you, my heart set in your words ad ways today. Thank you.
Scroll down please and let me know your thoughts and feedback……….
Wow praise God. what a testimony about that lady in the hospital. You guys were meant to be there at the right time and right place.
Thank you Ps Allan for this challenge. – what is your position and involvement in rescue?
Love this!
Positivity helps others see the light at the end of the tunnel. Accept the facts, and focus on the answer.
Thank you pastor Allan.
Thank you for the reminder to be fully involved & motivated in the rescue of people, losts souls.
It seems that God was right there watching your steps Pastor Alan, with man who’s son who had just had the seizure just days before your episode and letting you know that he was present, while you was worried about the situation, what mighty God we serve
I wonder where that lady is now. Sounds like a big moment for her.
Such a special moment that lady recomitting her life to God. What a God orchestrated moment. Love that story.
Great strength thought – Positivity helps others see the light at the end of the tunnel. Accept the facts, and focus on the answer.
God is indeed in control over life and death. We are certainly at His mercy and grace from Him is everything. Thank you Pastor Allan for your testimony today. It’s a powerful reminder of who is in control. God orchestrates our life like a symphony.
Absolutely beautiful! We must have our eyes fixed on Jesus and our heart set in His word and ways. Is this not the absolute truth!
This week has been a hard week. Several times I have stopped still, closed my eyes and started singing “turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” It’s been funny to see how much calm and peace has come over me in these moments. The Lord is so kind to His children. Thank you Pastor Allan.
Thank you Pastor Allen
I love the testimony of the backslidden woman coming back to Christ. We’re there parents praying for her return? We won’t know til we’re in heaven but it clearly shows how God moves in people’s lives. Pray for, share and pray with are all important aspects of life, God does move when we pray in faith rather than just fearing people are lost.
The challenge to involve ourselves is obvious.
Such a powerful testimony Pastor Allan that God would allow your friend to go through all that to save a lost soul!!
A great reminder that we don’t need to fear anyone or any circumstance because our Father God is in total control of our lives & others. There are many warnings in His Word to not fear but be courageous & strong. These warnings are there to keep reminding us that though we will have trials & tribulations & we will see the wicked prosper that if we keep close to the Lord & follow His ways He will show Himself to be our Protector Provider & Promise Keeper!
How different would the story have been if the lady had heard grumbling about your circumstances instead of Talking about God’s goodness. I need to get my eyes off my current situation and focus more on God’s goodness and provision. To speak more of what my heart knows! Thanks for this timely wake up call Allan
Amen!
It’s good always to keep our eyes to JESUS even when the unexpected happens in our lives. God is faithful
Pastor Allan, that was a beautiful message of how God positioned you both
at the right place just when a lost soul needed you. We do not know the rest of her story. But I would like to believe that your act of kindness and compassion led to a ripple effect and that she in turn has been a tool to draw many others to Jesus. Thank you Pastor Allan.
So powerful testimony. Thank you so much ps. Allan for keep reminding us to fix our eyes on Jesus with whatever we are facing.
I have had that moment of abundant peace that I would never forget in my life.
On my way back to Sydney from Jakarta at around 7.30-8pm last October, my sister called me about the fire in the factory. I was caught in shock and confuse for at least an hour….With His Grace, mercy and love, my Lord helped me to have that clear mind, wisdom and abundant peace. I peacefully rearrange my flight, got the room in a capsule hotel (2nd time in my life have to choose this type of room) praying and praying, I felt so close to my Lord at those hours until dawn. He gave me assurance that everything will be alright and I will be safe and being looked after. He is my Mighty Lord, my Refugee and my Provision. I just thank God for everything. And here we are rebuilding what was ruined by fire with His Grace and wisdom. I am still stunned and amazed by His presence, His amazing provision and help from those moment till now. He is my Living God and my everything. Amen
As you have mentioned pastor Allan,we all face unexpected moments in our lives.when suddenly everything that we have been so sure of takes a unexpected turn.
I find it is in these moments,that we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust him with all our heart ,that he will take care of our circumstance.
We have to learn to let go and let God 🙏