Mark 13-14 Be Alert! Peace be still!

If you are on track with the daily readings, then today is Friday March 13. You give me too much credit if you think I somehow worked it out that we would read Mark 13 on Friday the 13. The reading itself has warnings about the end times. Jesus lays out for his disciples what is about to come. He gives them the signs and tells them to stay alert. One of the themes in the New Testament is to stay alert and be ready.

Fear is not the proper response to what we see around us. If we have prepared our souls, then we can be confident that whatever may happen, God is with us. Here is something you need to know and live by: uncertainty is unavoidable, being fearful is optional.

If you look for God, He will show up in huge ways. Faith is confidence that God is on your side. If you ask him, God with open your eyes to see things as He sees them. He promises to work all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Faith is the antidote to fear. Allow your faith to give you victory over fear. Fear of the thing is often worse than the thing itself. Fear causes us to complain and question the goodness of God. Complaining stands in the way of the fullness of God’s presence.

"10 do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41

Does your faith and confidence in God bring peace and strengthen those who are losing hope around you? Ask God to give you faith over your fear. Ask God to make you an anchor in the storm.