Face Our Fear

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. 

Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. 

Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. 

Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? 

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:1-8)

Hebrews gives us great advice!  For example, we may unknowingly entertain angels when we show brotherly [and sisterly] love and hospitality.   

A remake of the movie Dune is about to be released.  I’ve read all the books in the Dune series, and of all I have read, I tend to remember the Litany Against Fear frequently recited by the main character, Paul Atreides who later becomes the mighty Muab Dib (kangaroo mouse) – the prophesied Messiah. 

Another “litany” to remember would be: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid.”  Or perhaps a part of the 23rd Psalm: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.”

We all walk through many valleys.  Some are quite shadowed.  In those dark places, "We must not fear.  Fear is the mind killer. Fear is a little death that brings total obliteration.  We will face our fear...The Lord's rod and staff will comfort us."

Deacon David Pierce