Psalm 33:12-22 (New International Version):
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
From his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
He who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
To deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
According to an article by Joseph Pisani in the Huffington Post dated December 28, 2012, the ‘demand for firearms, ammunition and bulletproof gear has surged since the December 14 massacre in Newtown, Connecticut’… The shooting has increased ‘calls for tighter gun control measures’… and ‘the prospect of a possible weapons ban has sent gun enthusiasts into a panic and sparked a frenzy of buying at stores and gun dealers nationwide.’ Firearms and ammunition of various types, especially military-style assault weapons, are sold out and on back-order across the country. Bullet Blocker, a company which makes bulletproof vests, briefcases and insert panels, saw sales of its children’s bulletproof backpacks increase from 10-15 per week to 50-100 per day since the shooting. The company’s bulletproof backpacks cost over $200 each.
This surge in buying weapons and ammunition is based on one thing: FEAR. If so many Americans are driven by so much fear, then it is clear that the people do not have faith in God or no longer put God first.
Below are some Bible verses about fear:
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear. The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—Psalm 103:17
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Other interesting quotations about fear include the following:
The one permanent emotion of the inferior man is fear—fear of the unknown, the complex, the inexplicable. What he wants above everything else is safety. ~Henry Louis Menchen
There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear. ~George S. Patton
There is much in the world to make us afraid. There is much more in our faith to make us unafraid. ~Frederick W. Cropp
Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. ~Author Unknown
Reflecting back over the year 2012, many would say that it was one of the worst years they can remember in more ways than one, especially due to the tragic shootings so close to Christmas on December 14th in Newtown, Connecticut of 20 innocent school children, six teachers and administrators, and the shooter’s mother. But is buying and stockpiling weapons and ammunition the answer to this problem?
A friend recently shared the following story. Her boss returned to work after the holidays bragging about the fact that he bought himself a new gun for Christmas. In addition, as his primary gift to his wife, he gave her cash so she could buy her own gun for Christmas. What is wrong with this picture? The real reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:10-14 (King James Version)
And yet, in the United States, people buy each other guns as Christmas gifts with the purpose of killing another person when they feel threatened. Think about the irony within that story.
Today is January 1st, 2013… a good day to make a New Year’s Resolution. Take time to reflect on your faith in God and make a resolution to put God first in your life throughout this new year.
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