Ignorance, Disobedience, and Fear

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. [Psalm 121.3-4]

I have not been one to just focus on Bible promises at the expense of missing valuable teaching. However, today, here is a serious Bible promise worth remaining mindful of at all times. This promise is life-changing.

I think of all the times I have felt 'alone' in decisions and direction in life. How many of those times were my feelings of being alone nothing more than just ignorance? I think more than I care to admit.

If I were an enemy to God and His people, I think I would seek to capitalize on ignorance. Then, fear would be my greatest weapon. If God's people ignorantly think God is not 'watching' then it becomes easy to make them fear. And, when they fear, they are not trusting God.

So, can I conclude that fear is the result of ignorance? Ignorance that God is for me and always watches over me will certainly result in fear. However, it is not the only initiator of fear! Sin will cause fear just as well (hello Adam and Eve hiding in the very Garden of Eden!). It is right that sin causes fear because our God "is a consuming fire" and will not tolerate disobedience. And, just as those who seek the LORD can rely on His mercy, so those who disobey God can rely on His justice.

But here is where ignorance is out of control... People today are not 100% convinced that curses are from God! Instead, many call disease, poverty, turmoil, violent weather, loss, failure, tragedy, etc. just random 'natural' events and they fail to seek out and repent of the sin that invoked them! Now is it coming into focus that our enemy has deceived us into this sort of thinking? Consequently, when we downplay the implications of curses, we naturally downplay the implications of blessings - instead of believing blessings come from God and God alone, arrogant thought causes man to believe his hard work and diligence brought his good fortune.

You see, we cannot deny the obvious implications of curses without also denying the obvious implications of blessings. To do so, we must rip Deuteronomy 28 right out of the Bible - and frankly, also deny pretty much the entire Bible itself. And, if blessings and curses are not tied to obedience or disobedience (respectively), then who needs God anyway, right? Oh yeah, everyone wants to go to heaven... but it is only the fool who believes this life has no effect on that which follows!

Father, help me to rest in obedience to You. It is there that fear has no hold whatsoever - and it is there I want to be. Help me quickly repent of sin and disobedience - for myself and all my associations (nation, state, county, city, church, and family) - and thereby remain in the shadow of Your abundant blessings.