Do You Know?

Yesterday morning as I was having breakfast with one of my daughters, she shared with me her apprehension about an event that was scheduled for the afternoon and because she did not know how the event was going to turn out, it was causing her to experience a lot of anxiety. The definition of apprehension is experiencing fear or anxiety of what may happen. As we continued our conversation, we both agreed that many times our fear is based on the unknown.  In other words, "What if this happens or what if that happens?" When these questions assault our mind, it can weaken and even cripple us from doing our best. 

We may not know our future, but do we know the God who holds our future in His hands?  When we are experiencing apprehension, do we transfer our fears of our “unknown” future to our KNOWN God?

I could not help but think of a scripture that talks about a city that had erected an altar to a god entitled: THE UNKNOWN GOD. In Acts 17:23, the Bible shares about a time when Apostle Paul was in Athens and was provoked within him when he saw that the city was filled with numerous pagan temples and many altars to many gods.

“Athens, with its magnificent buildings and many gods, was a center for Greek culture, philosophy and education. Philosophers and educated men were always ready to hear something new, so they invited Paul to speak to them at the meeting of the Areopagus.” Commentary

Below is a portion of what Paul said to the people of Athens:

“Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heavens and earth and does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’” Acts 17:24-28

Do you know the God who made the world and everything in it?

Do you know the LORD of heaven and earth?

Do you know the God who allows you to take your next breath?

Do you know that He is not far from you?

The next time we become fearful about anything, let's not meditate on what is UNKNOWN – but instead – let's mediate on the God who has made Himself KNOWN to us through His Son Jesus Christ!

Let's remember His faithfulness!

Let's remember His promises!

Let's remember His character!

Let's remember that in Him we live and move and have our being!

As I mentioned above, apprehension is defined as the fear or anxiety of what may happen. However, confidence is defined as trust or faith in a person or thing.

Let’s trust and have faith in our living God and by His grace, His perfect love will cast out all fear!

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...” 1 John 4:18a

“We can resolve our fears first by focusing on His immeasurable love for us, and then by allowing Him to love others through us. His love will quiet your fears and give you confidence.” Commentary