Threats: 'Fear thou not for I am with Thee'

Threats: 'Fear thou not for I am with Thee'

By Rev. Hallie Jonathans

JAKARTA (JP): In this city named Jakarta we see students,
intellectuals and common people alike express their feelings,
opinions and interests in their own fashions on a daily basis.

In this capital where blood has been shed, violence always has
the potential to develop into a real threat to anybody who may
fall victim willy-nilly. Poverty, unemployment and hunger are
really threatening our nation.

Is this city of blood also becoming a city of permanent
violence? Look also to our world, the Mother Earth. It is also a
world of bloodshed, hunger, crime, terror, injustice, hardship,
and other travails.

"Fear not" are the first words of the Gospel and the theme of
this year's Christmas. In Luke, as well in Second Isaiah. Why are
these words the first expression of the Gospel? Because this is
the condition of man in history, in his present life.

We always have grounds for fear. Out of this condition we
react in overprotecting ourselves or our nation, or we just
abandon this situation, finding a better, safer place rather than
to overcome the enemy that has created that fear.

Where does fear originate? First, it is in the power of the
enemy. We are afraid of the power we think the enemy has. We do
not have the confidence that our Lord, God and Savior, is with
us.

"Fear thou not for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am
thy God." If He that is the Creator and Redeemer of this world is
with us, why should we be afraid of those threats? We are afraid
because we think that we have to overcome those enemies with our
own strength. We have never counted on Him, our Lord.

Just a short time ago, many believed in the predictions that
the Indonesian economy was heading into a Golden Age due to the
nation's abundant resources. We fully trusted our system. Then we
saw everything flop.

Even the world systems have failed. God is now challenging us.
He has given us enough time to solve our problems. But now we
must realize that we do not have enough strength, wisdom, ability
and knowledge to save ourselves.

What should we do now? A long list of causes that leads to
failures is not enough. We cannot just sit and tremble, or
surrender.

We are God's agents to remedy this mess, and this ruin should
be changed in to a building -- a nation of real strength, by
encouraging others to overcome difficulties.

Emmanuel -- God is with us. Just call on Him. He is so near.
He was not born in a palace. There was not even an inn that
welcomed Him, merely a stable. He was born in such a poor
condition, below human standards. He became so humble to meet us
in our shortcomings, in the decline of our economic and political
as well as our religious life.

Why are we so afraid? Because we do not dare to face the
fearful consequences of a defeat. What are those dreadful
consequences? How dreadful the thought that if we stumble we can
never rise again.

It is in this situation that God promises us his presence. He
will be with us. "Fear not, for I am with thee." Take courage
because He is competent to afford us the protection we desire.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed,
though the mountains be washed into the midst of the sea. God
shall help us, and that is right away.