Our Refuge In Perilous Times

By Fred Handschumacher

The Bible warns that the last days before Christ's return will be "perilous times". In New York a terrorist attack destroys the World Trade Center killing thousands of people. In response, America partners with the British and ends the reign of Iraq's dictator Saddam Hussein--but the war on terrorism is just getting started. The "pro-west" government of Saudi Arabia (a major oil supplier) teeters on the brink of collapse into radical Islamic fundamentalism. Information is revealed that some of our closest allies have business relationships with terrorist organizations that want to destroy us. This includes Russia who isn't as friendly as we are told. Political Insiders report that China is preparing for a military conflict with the United States in the next few years. North Korea now has nuclear weapons and threatens to use them. Nations who are friendly toward the United States are rare and even Canada admits a hatred for us. France totally turns agains us and sides with the Iraqi dictator. Americans continue to live beyond their means ignoring God-given financial principles and plunging ever deeper in debt. Our economy now caught in a deflationary spiral may repeat the hardships of the 1930's depression. Millions are out of work nationwide with more layoffs planned by financially depressed companies. Housing costs continue to skyrocket causing mortgages, taxes and credit payments to be an unsustainable financial burden while Americans (in denial) believe that money and jobs will always be plentiful. At some point America's debt trap will snap shut.

Maybe you're someone already touched by these events. You may be currently unemployed with the overwhelming financial burden of supporting a family. If you ignore the Wall Street and cable news propaganda and look at the real economic conditions there's good reason to be alarmed. The evening news won't tell you the truth about the dangers we face. Politicians don't want to scare people before an election. Yet, honest economists see the facts and they are troubled. Many choose to believe anyone in the media who reports good news--even if it's based on falsehood and wishful thinking.

I don't "bury my head in the sand" concerning important issues. I want to know the truth...and what's about to happen in the world. I don't like being caught off-guard and unprepared. Jesus instructed us to always watch and pray...to be sober and vigilant. Yet, when you tackle some of the problems facing America head-on you're vulnerable to a dangerous enemy--FEAR. Recently, the Lord warned me not to allow fear to dominate my life. It's a subtle influence that can emotionally paralyze its victims. Some people react with extreme anxiety and depression. Annually, billions of dollars are spent by our society to deal with these symptoms through doctors and drugs. Christians are even more vulnerable to fear because it's a demonic spirit sent from our adversary to destroy us if we allow it. Yet, God in his wisdom provides powerful promises that can deliver us. It is not His will for His children to live in any kind of fear!

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Tim 1:7 KJV)
Eliminating fear carries the same requirements as other blessings from God. It requires faith. We must apply God's method for destroying fear and accept it as His will for us. King David in the Old Testament wrote much about God's solution to his anxieties--and there were many. David's life was probably in jeopardy more than any other in the Bible. He began as a teenage sheep herder fighting and defeating Goliath of Gath, a trained professional killer, while the armies of Israel (including the King) and the Philistines watched. Talk about stress! David knew a lot about death as a warrior and later as King of Israel. On the battlefield he often faced fierce enemies and the possibility of defeat. Fear constantly plagued him. Yet, David knew about God's secret place--that place of refuge reserved for the righteous.

God destroys fear by making Himself our refuge and habitation. In times of trouble people take refuge in a fortress or a fortified city. They feel safe because a superior force keeps the enemy at bay. The Lord is the Christian's refuge if they know how to take advantage of it. It's far more than just a "feel good" promise from the Bible. Accepting the Lord as your refuge guarantees your safety. If an enemy is foolish enough to attack--his destruction is swift, certain and total. The tragedy is that most professing Christians haven't been taught how to dwell in this secret place because it is a neglected new covenant provision. Even worse, many are taught by their churches that fear, death and destruction is part of God's will. No wonder so many Christians have impotent faith and a skewed conception of God, which invites destructive trials and hardships into their lives. These are the trials that religion commonly ascribes to God. Yet, they are not not sent by our heavenly Father. There's a principle that few professing Christians are aware of. You can't successfully use your faith against something that you believe is God's will. The Bible calls this contradictive condition "double-mindedness" and unbelief. It is rampant in the modern church...and yes, even in many Bible-believing churches!

Biblical Righteousness--The Key To Security
Most Christians can't receive the provisions and blessings promised them from God because of a false understanding of righteousness. An overwhelming majority of Christians believe that righteousness is doing good deeds, living a good life and obeying the teachings of their church. For most, righteousness means performing up to what they perceive as God's standards--a difficult, if not impossible task. When attempting to believe a promise from God's Word--their faith is canceled by the thought that they aren't righteous enough (obedient enough) to get an answer [or the opposite and equally disastrous error--that they deserve an answer because they're a good, committed Christian]. Biblical righteousness is never based on our performance. It doesn't depend on whether we've been "good enough" or performed acts of charity. Biblical New Testament righteousness is a gift that is received when you're saved (Romans chapter 5, 2 Corinthians 5:21). The free gift of righteousness is not your righteousness--it's God's righteousness! This crucial fact guarantees that God will relate to you every time as if you were perfectly righteous. You see...God cannot reject His own righteousness! The only way it fails is if you insist on trusting in your own performance and good works (also called "self-righteousness"). Self-righteousness shuts down God's provision and is the most common cause of unanswered prayer. God does not honor self-righteousness regardless of how good it is. Religious people have a difficult time understanding this truth. This exciting topic is covered in the article entitled The Righteousness Of The Believer. It will change your life!

Below, I provide a list of Scriptures that address the subject of security in the Christian's life. 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 91, Isaiah 54:17 and Psalm 37:23-35 are especially rich and powerful. Apply them to yourself (make them personal) and confess them daily. Memorize them. Repeat them to God and speak them to the enemy when you sense a spirit of fear or anxiety is attacking you. Make them your own--because God's free gift of righteousness in your life gives you the right. King David and prophets of the Old Testament write some of the passages. Yet, they still hold true for you because they apply to every Biblically righteous individual. Protection, safety and provision are key parts of a blood covenant...and that means it's also part of the blood covenant Jesus established. God is no respecter of persons (shows no partiality) when it comes to the security and provision of His children. You have His Word on it.

I Shall Not Fear!

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