DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS COURAGE By Mark Strout Executive Dean of Florida and Global Bible Institutes, Word of Life Fellowship
Today’s Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:9
Fear. It is one of Satan’s most effective ways to weaken and paralyze God’s children. Just think of the many forms it takes! There is the fear of failure, of rejection, or of being harmed; the fear of the unknown, of the future and perhaps the greatest of all, the fear of failing health and death. It’s little wonder that the most frequently repeated command in Scripture is some form of “fear not”, appearing over 300 times. These were the first words the Shepherds heard in the fields of Bethlehem. But how does the birth of Christ defeat fear? Though we don’t often associate today’s passage with Christmas, it’s an excellent summary of the wonderful truths which neutralize fear, all of which are certain because Jesus came to save us. Because our Savior came, we can be confident that our present troubles are light and momentary compared to the weight of glory which we’ll experience forever (4:17); we can be sure that we have an eternal home that awaits us when we leave this earth (5:1); and we can persevere through any kind of physical infirmity because we know that we’ll one day receive immortal bodies which will never die (5:4). All of these facts energized and encouraged Paul even though he was “afflicted in every way” (4:8). How can these truths do the same for us? Only if we walk by faith and not by sight (5:7), constantly keeping our eyes on eternal, unseen things rather than on what is temporary and visible (4:18). Faith is the real antidote to fear. So, the angels had it right on that first Christmas night when they appeared to terrified shepherds and said, “Fear not, for behold we bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Filled with fresh courage, they hurried to the manger and spread the Good News far and wide. Let’s do the same!
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