Be Anxious For Nothing

[RV]

It was surreal. As David stood there facing a giant of a man, with many battle experiences under his belt and all kinds of military equipment, he must have been terrified. I know that I would have been. David was a young, scrawny, shepherd boy who was but a small teen facing a battle hardened warrior named Goliath. David didn't have any armor, didn't have a sword, didn't have a shield and didn't have the training nor experience that Goliath had. David had never taken a man's life before and yet there he stood facing Goliath. By some reports, Goliath stood over nine feet tall. One man carried his very large and heavy shield. Goliath's helmet and spear were made of Bronze. Shining in the sun, Goliath size and military might had the intimidation factor.

To make matters even worse, David's brothers cautioned him that Goliath would kill him and not think twice about it. It would be an easy victory for Goliath. No one would feel sorry for David. Everyone would just chalk it up that a young, exuberant, impressionable teen should never have challenged a warrior like Goliath in the first place. It would be, David's own fault.

The Bible contains over 400 examples in scripture where we are told not to "fear". There at least 59 examples in scripture where we are told to not be "afraid". The fear must have been palpable for a human being to face a giant like Goliath. We see in the account that Goliath thought it was a joke to put forth such a puny, underweight, young boy as an opponent. Not only was David young but, he was a shepherd, the lowest of the low. Goliath didn't feel that David was a worthy opponent for his masterful fighting skills. Goliath was hoping for at least someone with military training and equipment to challenge him. But here he stood a warrior against a lowly shepherd.

Clearly, if Goliath would have gotten close to David, he would have killed him. Goliath's superior size and strength would have made quick work of dispatching the scrawny teen. To say that Goliath underestimated his opponent is documented. Truly the outcome of the confrontation was very different than what Goliath or any of his military buddies envisioned. The difference? God.

Likewise, so many were and are panicking about the riots, the presidential election and the Wuhan Virus. Store shelves were empty where frightened people spent their hard earned money hoping that buying stuff would somehow isolate them from what was to come. Masks and gloves made in China, hand sanitizer, Lysol spray, disinfecting wipes, toilet paper and food staples all disappeared. More people were purchasing firearms as well as applying for concealed weapon permits than ever before. Fear is and was everywhere and hysteria was and is still being fed by the media as people wait for the riots, virus or worse to hit them or their loved ones. Even children have picked up on the fear and panic. Elderly people fear what will happen to them when and if the violence or virus hits, whether they will end up in the Hospital, whether they will end up on a ventilator or heaven forbid, die.

Many businesses shut down, laid off employees, were burnt out, went out of business or closed and went home awaiting what they were told was inevitable. People whose jobs were deemed "non-essential" were faced with unemployment and the reality of trying to feed their family without income. Nursing homes and hospitals reduced or suspended visiting hours. Fear and panic is everywhere as the media constantly spews out doom and gloom.

Instead of facing down Goliath, the people are facing down election fraud, violence and the Wuhan Virus. Like David, we need the Lord, His saving power, His might, His omnipresence and His eternal abilities. Maybe that is what these "crisis" are really all about, our need for God. Clearly, without Him, we are forever lost. Without His purpose, our lives are pointless. Without Him, our survival is in vain and without Him, there is no hope. Without God, life is not worth living and not even death can save us from everlasting torture and torment. As the psalmist said, "wherever I go, You are there..."