Dread Noughts

What occupies our thoughts when we have spare time in our daily life? What do we find our thoughts going back to when there is not something demanding our attention? Does our focus center on the issues that we dread, or on the topics of our desire?

Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

During Jesus' ministry those religious leaders who rejected the good news He brought about the plan God had for salvation from sin and setting up His kingdom in the hearts and minds of people sought to arrest Him because they feared the loss of power and influence they held over peoples' lives.

Mark 12:12 ...but they were afraid of the crowd so they left Him and went away.

Luke 22:2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people's reaction.

Those folks put in some serious time dwelling on the concern they shared. They all dreaded the same thing -- losing the respect from the people and losing the control over the people, and that was channeled into anger, and then a killing rage. They were eventually willing to go to any length to avoid that nightmare that haunted them when they slept, and the vision that followed them, whispering in their ears during their daily walks through the markets and places of business.
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John 11:53 So from that day they planned together to kill him.

Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

And what about the disciples, the people who followed Jesus, interested to hear more of what He was saying? Some of them did not hear the positive things He said, but rather focused on the things that touched on their greatest fears.

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.

How like them we are today! How easy it is to see the darkness and tumult and confusion that is described. How hard it can be on our own to tear our eyes away from the gloom that is foretold to come upon the earth -- most of us cannot pass by an accident on the road without taking in the details and imagining ourselves in their place. It is very natural to do that. It encourages us to drive defensively and exercise precautions, but if we linger on it, if we can't shake it from our minds, it can grow until the dread of it haunts us night and day, causing us to live in fear.

John 20:20 As He spoke, He showed them the wounds in His hands and His side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!

What a turn-about! They had just lived through the darkest night of their lives. They had seen with their own eyes what they felt was the destruction of all they had hoped and believed in. They questioned their understanding of what they had been taught. Some of them had gone back to their old lives to try and sort things out and pick up what pieces they could.

And then, Jesus revealed the truth He had been laying the foundation for, showing them how God's plan is not limited by what can be seen or heard. He stood there as living proof that the path He leads us on may take turns that look dark, but that He knows where He is going, and we can trust Him to get us there in His time.

As we walk with God, we will experience many ups and downs, mountains and valleys, solid footing and shifting sands, flood and fire, storm and calm. When we place God at the center of our lives, desiring His will, listening for His direction, He will not forsake us or abandon us. We sometimes walk without the awareness of His direction, but He never leaves us to walk alone.

Psalm 47
v.1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
v.2 How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!
v.6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
v.7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise.
v.8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
v.9 The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.

Glorious and exalted God, You are awesome in Your splendor and majesty. You are in charge of Your people, and You are faithful to care for and watch over us, not because it is Your responsibility, but because we are dear and precious to Your heart. We exalt You, Lord, and give praise to Your name. If You never did another thing for us, Father, You would still be worthy of our unending praise and thanks. You call us to Yourself and declare that You have plans for us. This is too magnificent for us to comprehend, God, we can only bow before You and seek to know what You want us to do so that we can give You further honor through obedience. Your love leaves no room for doubt or fear or dread. You are our one desire, Lord, today, tomorrow, and for all of eternity.

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