"Keep Me Steady, Lord"
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Christian Encouragement September 22, 2001
<b>Hello Everyone!</b>
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I've had the news on pretty much everyday since September 11th. Today, I'm not turning on
the TV. I'm taking a mental break. The last couple of days, I've found myself whispering,
"Keep me steady, Lord. Keep me steady."
I've received several emails this past week from people who are terribly frightened about
what has happened. Some feel their security is in danger. They've always figured that
they're safe from harm because we live in America. I must remind you that our only real
security is in Christ. It always has been and always will be. It was that way before the
terrorist attack and will continue to be until death or the Rapture. First, I will address
those who wonder if this is "it", then I will address those who are afraid. I can only say
that the Lord says in Luke 21:29-36:
29. " And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30. When
they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God
is nigh at hand. 32. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all
be fulfilled. 33. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34.
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting
(wasting one's time), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon
you unawares (by surprise). 35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the
face of the whole earth. 36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of
man." KJV
Matthew 24:34-37--"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these
things be fulfilled. 35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass
away. 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my
Father only. 37. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be." KJV
Matthew 24:44--"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh." KJV
It's only natural to be a little uneasy about the current state of affairs. I will show
you in God's Word of others, who when suddenly faced with something they considered
frightening and overwhelming, fell to the ground on their faces in fear. Through these
examples, we will also see that most of these experiences were when men saw angels,
visions, or "one like the son of man". They were falling down because they were terrified
of something that was wonderful. I want to encourage those of you who are afraid during
this time of attack and national alert to read on!
Daniel 10:11,12--" And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the
words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he
had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12. Then said he unto me, Fear not,
Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to
chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words." KJV
Ezekiel 1:28 and 2:1-- "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of
rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the
likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a
voice of one that spake. And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will
speak unto thee. KJV
Daniel 4:19--"Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was greatly perplexed for a time,
and his thoughts terrified him." NIV
Daniel 10:15-19--"And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the
ground, and I became dumb. 16. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men
touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before
me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no
strength. 17. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for
me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18.
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened
me, 19. And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be
strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak;
for thou hast strengthened me." KJV
Revelation 1:17--"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right
hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:" KJV
Revelation 22:8,9--"And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and
seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9.
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren
the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." KJV
Mark 17:6,7--"And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore
afraid. 7. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid." KJV
There are many more examples of God's people becoming, for whatever reason, afraid. Notice
that many of these would fall down in fear, but the answer to them, in one form or
another, was this: "Stand up! Don't be afraid!"
Let's not give way to fear no matter what we have seen or may see in the future. Let's be
wise, but not afraid!
Hebrews 13:6--"...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we
may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." KJV
Deuteronomy 31:6--"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for
the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake
thee." KJV
Dear Lord, Please keep helping us to stand up, fear not, be ready and keep us steady!
Love in Christ,
Debbie Reed-Parman
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