Fear Not

Taking it for Granted

Chapter 54

December 30

Job 5:21-22
You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals.

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Preface

How can we weigh our faith against the fear we've internalized up to this point in our lives? How can we determine which way the scale tips, whether toward faith or fear?

The primary way to tell is by how we respond to the events that take place in our lives. When unexpected change occurs, do we immediately complain, pout and think up negative fantasies before finally accepting the change as part of life? How much time passes from the moment we realize that, for example, we'll suddenly have to start doing something in a different way at work, to the moment when we start doing it without complaint?

How long does it take to change with the change, to shift with the shift?

Also, how do we frame change or challenging events?

Do we laugh in the face of challenge, seeing it for what it is? Or do we see it for what we most fear it might mean?

The way we see things will determine where we are on our path from F2F.

Faith has been cultivated at its highest when we're able to immediately shift with change, laugh at destruction and frame events in the best possible way.

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Here, the word 'protected' is taken from the Hebrew word 'haba,' which means to 'secrete.' This in turn means to conceal in a hiding place. 'Haba" is derived from 'habab,' which means to hide in the bosom; as in, to cherish with affection, as an expression of 'love.'

The 'lash' is translated from the Hebrew 'sot,' which means 'scourge.' 'Scourge' means to beat with or as if with a rod or whip; to punish or distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish. But 'sot' is derived from 'sut,' which means to 'push' forward; as in, to lash the water's surface with oars while rowing in an effort to travel.

'Tongue' is from 'lason,' or 'lesona,' which is derived from 'lasan.' It's used figuratively as an instrument of speech. And its meaning is to calumniate, defined as making false and malicious statements about.

'Destruction' is translated from 'sod,' meaning 'violence' or 'ravage.' 'Sod' is derived from the root 'sud,' which means to 'swell up' with insolence with an intention toward creating devastation. And 'Insolence' means being disrespectful, rude to or despising someone; typically, in a position of authority.

To be in a position of authority we must be under authority. In faith we're inherently granted authority under God's authority. This position is both a consequence of God's love and an expression of His protection, love and protection being faith's interchangeable powers in, through and around us. But the power associated with such authority isn't the object of primary focus; it's not the thing in which we glory. It's what the power's presence communicates to us, that God's with and for us and our places in heaven are secured.

Consider when "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.'

"He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'" (Luke 10:17-18)