Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 42

“Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand.” (Jeremiah 42:11)

Fear or faith. This choice is set before us every day. Will we be afraid of the threats of this world, or will we place our faith in the God who promises to deliver?

If we read on in the narrative of Jeremiah we discover that Israel chose fear, not faith. Instead of trusting the Lord’s word to remain under His divine protection, they sought to escape to Egypt for human security.

Egypt is frequently used in Scripture as a spiritual picture of sin and bondage (see Galatians 4:21-31; Revelation 11:8). And rightly so, for it was in Egypt that Israel suffered horrendous bondage under taskmasters for over 400 years. Then, using Moses, God redeemed His people out of Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land of Israel.

How tragic — that after possessing the land for so many centuries through the defense of God, they were willing to forsake it for their old stomping grounds. They were abandoning the land of God for the land of bondage! Why would they do such a thing?

One answer: Fear.

Ironically, in their abandonment of God to go to Egypt, they would face the fate they sought to escape. Only God could protect them. They only needed to trust Him.

What a convicting application for us today, Beloved! When fear sets in, it takes our eyes off of God and onto the nearest human security, as nominal as it may be. Our Lord says, "Trust Me,” and we say, "Not today, Lord! The stakes are too high! I will find my own safety.”

But we must wake up and understand that God is our greatest Defender. We must remember that His perfect love casts out fear, and we can come boldly to His throne of grace to find help in time of need. Don’t rationalize. Don’t strategize. Just trust Him. Place your faith in His promise to deliver you from the “King of Babylon” that is threatening you. Or are you willing to go back to your old ways to find artificial safety?

Beloved, what is your Babylon that threatens you? Do not be afraid! God is your shield. Trade your fear of Babylon for faith in God. For God alone is the Rock on which to stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:2–3)

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