Can you think of anything more frightening than obedience? Certainly evil clowns and chainsaw murderers might seem to be
first on the list, if you asked me. But the Scriptures tell a different story.
The Apostle Peter explains that Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was a remarkable woman because of her submission and obedience. In fact, women who imitate her faith are known as her children, which is only fitting seeing that Abraham is the father of those who are righteous through faith. What’s more, Sarah is held up as a model of bravery and fearlessness. Peter writes, “And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening” (2 Peter 3:6). This is a strange way of talking. Be definition, frightening things are scary, and typically we are not prone to feel comfortable around frightening things. This is why horror movies are so popular–they allow us to examine evil from a safe distance. But if we were to ever find ourselves in a moment of horror and terror, well, again, that’s a different story altogether.
Sarah was not afraid of submission or obedience. She followed Abraham into an unknown land, trusting God to make good on his promise. And God did. Sarah obeyed God beautifully. She adorned herself with hope. She had the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Her confidence was in the goodness of God to give her what he had promised, so she did not fear the frightening prospect of following her husband into another land. No longer would she observe the unknown from a safe distance–now she would walk right into it.
But really, the moral of the story is not to trust God with your future, though this is certainly an implication. The point is this: do not be afraid of frightening things–trust God and obey him. Those who do not know God fear for their lives–they are afraid to be confronted by evil. But those who belong to Jesus have overcome evil. They are not afraid of frightening things.
This is not about laughing at murder and perversion and crookedness–certainly not. We acknowledge the evil and horror of these things. But we must think more in terms of our craving for immediate comfort and satisfaction, “What will we eat? What will we wear?” Jesus said that pagans are consumed with these questions. But we must not be afraid of what we do not understand; rather, we must trust God and obey him. We are Abraham and Sarah’s children if we put our hope and confidence in the promises of One who has been before us to battle the dark forces in the heavenly places. We are not afraid of frightening things because we fear the one who is able to cast the soul and body into hell, and he is for us and not against us.
Would you be condemned by a woman with a gentle and quiet spirit? Then trust God and obey him, and you will not be orphans, but children of the one who was not afraid of frightening things.




feel it on their tongues? Maybe the future is so bright you have to wear shades, but does it taste so good you that you salivate?
whomever we want, but only at the sacrifice of losing the only way to understand the world. Monogamy isn’t a contract–it’s a context. If we lose the story of monogamy, we lose everything. Monogamy is the meaning of life.
everybody does in fact have a hungry heart. Mr. Springsteen is not known for being a theologian, but this is a very profound theological statement, even if made unwittingly.
is now asleep presents the greatest danger. Deep in all of our hearts is hidden lust. Like a hibernating bear, it has made a bed to lie in until the time is right for it to come out. Though it is silent now as it sleeps, make no mistake, the time will come when it will not be silent anymore.
been ripped out of its proper context and placed beyond the boundaries of the bedroom. We rightly understand that there is a glory in our nakedness, but many fail to see that this glory can only be manifested when we are uncovered without shame. Scripture says this happens in the marriage bed. When we get out from under these proverbial sheets, we ought to be rightly ashamed. But are we?
never really get past our sin in this life–it is far too much with us. We are stained from head to toe, from mind to heart, with the blackness that is our sin. It clings so closely to us.
his little ones to stumble. He also said it would have been better if Judas had not been born at all. These are no kind words to faithless people. Would Jesus cast me into the sea?
are the furthest thing from cool I can imagine. If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of hearing “Figured You Out” then I hope you will agree with me: Nickelback is a band of fools. They are only one example from contemporary culture, so I am not necessarily singling them out. They represent a larger problem: people hate God and love sin, so they reject authority and invent ways to pursue evil, and run over everyone in the process.
(“Act of Approach”, p. 262),