Weekly Devotional for November 15, 2015

Scripture Readings: Daniel 8:15-27, Hebrews 10:32-39 (Appointed for Tuesday, November 17)

We are now 5 days out from the horrific events in Paris and the “terror” that terrorist attack was meant to engender is already in full swing. My Facebook wall has already become a massive tribute to the fear and bigotry that often lies just beneath the surface of otherwise decent and ordinary people. Calls to reject the refugees who are fleeing the tyranny of ISIS. Calls to close the mosques of American Muslims. Calls for violence against Muslims of all stripes worldwide. You name it. I’ve seen it, posted there in social media for the world to see.

This, of course, echoes the words of public figures and pundits who are stoking the fear for their own ends. In this election season, it pays to pander so pander they do.

And, in the midst of all this, I find myself reading the Apocalypse of Daniel from the Old Testament. Texts that speak about the villainy of the “kings of Medea and Persia” and others from those lands who will come after them. It could be very easy for many to see such texts and wonder if those predictions are playing out before our very eyes.

Of course, I’ve seen that claim on Facebook of late as well. It’s the End Times! Be afraid all the more!

In many ways, I am thankful that these Daniel texts are paired with the words of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Much like Daniel, there is talk here of persecution, suffering, imprisonment, and the loss of worldly goods, all things again that can be frightening to us. But Hebrews comes with an additional warning: “But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.”

Saint Paul speaks of this elsewhere: “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:15)

The first casualty of war is the truth and we who are caving into our fear in these times of potential and/or imminent war are very much in danger of losing the truth of the Gospel. Regardless of whatever terrifying things are happening throughout the world, we still belong to Christ Jesus. We are still the children of God. We are still those who are saved. God remains in control now and always. We are not meant to be “those who shrink back” in fear and hatred, but we are to be the beacon of truth in the midst of frightening times. We are meant, as Hebrews reminds us, to be the ones who persevere in times of trial such as these.

It is not easy to be a Christian. I’ve argued before how much harder it is to believe than not to (quoting as I do that song from Steve Taylor.) And these times are why. Fear is an easy temptation. There is much in the world that frightens. But what are our fears to the God that we serve? The one who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for all our sakes? That is who stands with us in the midst of these times and always. That is the one who has promised us life in the midst of death and darkness.

We cannot forget this truth in these troubling times. The world seeks to lash out in fear and anger, and while there is likely to be retribution against those who have perpetuated this evil, we must not allow the innocent to be caught up in this as well. As Christians, we are called to aid the downtrodden, to welcome the stranger, precisely because our fate is secured in Christ and we have nothing to fear in this world. That is who we are. That is what we believe. The world needs our voice now more than ever, a voice of sanity and compassion in the midst of madness and terror. It is our calling. It is our truth. Hold fast and be who we are meant to be.