Shaken Security © 2000

by Sherry Sharon

Seems like almost weekly we wake up to the news of another crisis or tragedy. Towns such as Lancaster County PA, New Orleans, New York City, Washington D. C., Oklahoma City; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Littleton, Colorado; Paducah, Kentucky; Montoursville, Pennsylvania; Santee, California, VA Tech, etc., have become indelible images on the map of our minds whether or not we had previously heard of these locations. If we asked any of the children, students, teachers, parents, search & rescue personnel, they would all agree that these are some of the images they wish had never been stamped on their memory.

Death is no respecter of persons. It has no longer been reserved for the aged and infirmed. It can take a toddler, a student just two weeks away from graduation, just as easily as a resident of a nursing home. Suffering is not limited to loss due to blizzards, earthquakes, drought, tornadoes, hurricanes and flood. Threat of nuclear attack, massacre on our school campuses, meteor storms, traffic fatalities, air disasters that take the lives of our loved ones, loss of jobs through downsizing, the coming economic collapse can all threaten the American dream.

One of the most devastating results of all these tragedies mentioned above is the fear that it places in the hearts of the families and friends of its victims, not to mention the hearts of all those tuning into the nightly news.

I John 4:18 tell us "...fear hath torment". Luke 21:26 speak of "Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the power of heaven shall be shaken. Yes, everything that can be shaken is being shaken. Our very security is being shaken. Why? Because we have placed our security in the wrong hands.

We have a tendency to place our trust in our bank accounts, our jobs, our military, and in our material possessions. What will we do if our checks stop coming and we cannot place our trust in the banking system & the U.S. Treasury Department? Where will we place our trust if our military defense systems fail? Where will we place our trust if we cannot call our power company in case of a collapse in our national power grid due to solar storms? Where will we place our security if our 911 communications are inaccessible to us? Where will we place our security if we can no longer count on the American Red Cross, National Guard to help us?

We are all familiar with the phrase, "If all else fails, read the directions." It reminds me of a poem, author unknown: "I woke up early one morning and started right into the day. I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t take time to pray. Troubles kept mounting about me and heavier came each task. I wondered why God didn’t help me. He answered, you didn’t ask." We have an instruction manual ready and waiting for us. We simply need to open its pages, read its contents and come to know its Author.

You see, the God of the universe is trying to get our attention. He wants us to know that no matter what hand we are dealt in this life, that our security is in Him. His resources are unlimited. In Genesis He said, "Let there be light" and there was light. You say, but that was in the beginning. The scriptures tell us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) We do not know what our future holds, but we can know Who holds our future.

Do you stand in need of an ark of safety during a time of uncertainty when the floods of circumstances threaten you and your family’s very existence? Consider Noah. God not only told Noah to build an ark, but gave him the exact dimensions in His book of instruction. (Genesis, Chapters 6-9)

Concerned for provisions during a time of drought? Consider Elijah. God told Elijah where there was a hidden brook in time of drought. (I Kings 17:1-6)

Have you lost your spouse and are your cupboards bare? Consider the widow woman. She only had a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a cruse. Elijah told her to borrow all the vessels she could and God multiplied the oil filling all the vessels so she could sell it to give her sustenance and pay all her bills. (I Kings 17:7-16)

Have you lost all family, worldly goods and are you afflicted by a terrible disease? Consider Job. Job lost everything - family, possessions, and health. But God gave Job twice as much as he had before.  Double for his trouble. (Read the book of Job.)

Will we be faced with lean years? Possibly. Consider Joseph. God revealed ahead of time that there would be seven years of famine. He gave Joseph a plan on how to store grain during seven years of plenty in preparation for seven years of famine.(Genesis, Chapters 39-48)

What do Noah, Elijah, Job and Joseph have in common? They all placed their trust and security in the God of the universe and Him only did they serve.

The Lord is saying unto us today, "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord ...choose this day whom ye will serve..." (Joshua 24:14,15)

In all probability you have taken a multiple-choice exam sometime in your life. The Lord sets before you the simplest multiple-choice test you will ever take. He even gives you the best answer! It is found in Deuteronomy 30:19,20. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

But remember, our choices bring consequences. We have two choices: God’s protection or God’s wrath. Read Deut 28 for a list of the blessings (His protection) or curses, sorrow (His wrath). How do we choose His protection, blessings and combat fear? Choose life.

How do you choose life? Invite Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Saviour. Ask Him to forgive you for placing your security and trust in the things of this world. Tell Him you need Him. Ask Him to forgive you of all unrighteousness. Thank Him that He already paid for your sins upon the cross of Calvary. Ask Him to instruct you in the way you should go. Ask Him to lead you to a church that teaches God’s Word. Ask these things in Jesus Name.

How do you deal with fear when your very security is being shaken? Read your Bible, the instruction book that will guide you through these difficult times, encourage your heart, and give you hope.

What are the results of our choosing life? He promises "..I will never ever leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) David sums it up in Psalm 32:6-11: "for this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

What are the results of choosing death? Many sorrows. Therefore choose life and your security will not have to be shaken during any trauma or disaster.