Our Sunday Devotionals are written by assistant pastor Mike Loveridge
No Longer Slaves
The song for this week is ‘No longer slaves’ and you can listen to the song sung by I AM THEY here. Like previous weeks, I suggest you listen to the song, dwell on the words and then read through my brief comments. I hope this song blesses you as it has me.
Lyrics
You unravel me with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance from my enemies
'Til all my fears are gone
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
From my mother's womb
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I've been born again to a family
Your blood flows through my veins
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
My fears are drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am a child of God
Yes, I am
I am a child of God
I am a child of God
Yes, I am
I am a child of God
Full of faith
Yes, I am a child of God
I am a child of God
A slave to fear
As a child I was always terrified of going into new situations. For me this mainly happened when joining new sports clubs or changing teams within a club. I say it was when I was a child and yet I am still, like many of us, not a big fan of new or uncertain places. When I was a relief pharmacist, working in different stores each day, I always found it a struggle turning up for the first time to a shop. Or even more recently when I joined a new hockey club back in December, when I turned up to training for the first time it took a huge amount of effort and motivation to get out the car despite the fact I love playing hockey. Both as a kid and as an adult, in those new circumstances there would be a million questions running through my head. What will they think of me? Will they like me? Will they talk to me? Will they think I am good enough? Will I be accepted? At the root of all those questions is fear.
Maybe for some of you reading this today you can identify with this. Maybe the drastically changed circumstances that we are currently living in due to Covid-19 have left you in a place of uncertainty and fear… fears of inadequacy as a home-schooling parent, or fear of job stability or fear of infection. Or maybe for you it’s not only when it’s a new place or situation but it’s all the time. Well the reason I love this song is because it reminds us that we need not fear. Why shouldn’t we be afraid? Because we are children of God. 1 John 3:1 says, “The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are his children.” What an amazing identity that is. It’s a total game changer.
The antidote to fear
The root of fear is often one
of the following:
- Psychological – i.e. Social interaction, rejection
- Physical – i.e. discomfort,
pain, death
- Consequence based – ie. When we have messed up.
Fear is an incredibly limiting emotion and can virtually paralyse us. That is true in our secular lives, but it is also true in our spiritual lives. Fear spiritually prevents us from trusting God and causes us to settle for less than God’s best. Fear also robs us of the peace and joy that God desires for us. So how does the Bible encourage us to combat fear? By knowing God as our Father who loves us as his children. But that still feels theoretical so how can it work out when you are experiencing fear? Well, what does a little child do when they are scared? They run to their parent. And that’s exactly what we should do. As soon as fear is upon us, we should run to God. Turn to him in prayer. Turn to his word, the Bible, and remind yourself of his promises.
I am a child of God!
Roy has been helpfully taking
us through some of the many promises God has given his children. Here are three
more that specifically deal with fear:
Isaiah
43:1 - “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are
Mine.”
Romans
8:28 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 - “He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
As a follower of Christ, you are
a child of God, an all-powerful, all-knowing Father who cares about you more
than you can imagine. When we really get that it is hard to remain fearful
amidst any trial. God considers us his prize possession which is why he gave up
his Son for us.
So, when you are feeling
fearful of others remember that you have a heavenly Father who loves you
unconditionally and is proud to call you his child.
When the fear of pain and
even death is close at hand, as Christians we can face that fear with joy
because we are redeemed, our future is safe and God is with us every step of
the way.
And when we mess up and the consequences aren’t looking good, we need to remember that God will never leave us or forsake us. God is in the job of fixing up sinners and he is great at it. Think of all the mistakes David made, yet God calls him a man after his own heart. Combat the fear of consequences from messing up by knowing God’s Holy Spirit is at work in you, that God has a wonderful purpose for your life and will, in his timing, work all for your good.
Brothers and sisters in Christ
We have some awesome promises to help us individually combat fear. But the song also reminds us that we have be born into a new family. When we become Christians, we become part of God’s family. Other believers become our brothers and sisters. One of the purposes of the church is to support and encourage one another. So, if you’re fighting fear right now, share it with a close brother or sister so they can support you and point you to the God of love who casts out all fear.
Prayer for today
Loving and gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank you for all of your
goodness to us but above all we thank you that because of Jesus we can be
called children of God. What an incredible thought that the God who created the
universe is our loving heavenly Father who cares for, provides for and loves us
- His children.
Father, when we experience
fear may we run into your arms knowing that you will comfort, strengthen and
love us unconditionally. We pray for any experiencing fear today. May an
increased knowledge of you drive out that fear so that they can live in the
glorious freedom you won for them upon the cross.
In the precious name of Jesus
our Saviour,
Amen
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