NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION
The theme of our reflection is fear can make us stupid. Fear is a strong and unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm or worry about something dangerous or unknown that is happening or might happen. To be stupid is to have or show a great lack of intelligence, common sense or understanding and demonstration of poor judgement. “Fear can make us stupid” means we are more likely to make an unwise decision or demonstrate poor judgement if we become anxious. We shall reflect on the fact that lack of faith and insecurity breeds fear, and fear can make us stupid.

Beloved in the Lord, lack of faith and insecurity breeds fear which causes us to make stupid decisions. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as  “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The Israelites despite all the wonderful signs God had demonstrated to them still lacked faith in Him and felt insecure when Moses kept long in returning from Mountain Sinai. “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” (Exodus 32:1) Dear friend, the Israelites’ lack of faith and insecurity made them stupid. They made an unwise decision out of anxiety. It is important to note that we do not have to become overly anxious or fearful when we encounter challenges or feel lonely in the wilderness of hardship and rejection. No matter the situation we find ourselves in let us be reminded that God is faithful to us in His covenant relation with us. Unlike the Israelites who put their hope on Moses and consequently lost hope and faith when He was not coming back from Mount Sinai, we must not put our hope in human beings but trust God every step of our lives. He has assured us through the Prophet Isaiah that “…I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:9-10)

Beloved in the Lord, as Christian leaders we must be watchful and well fortified spiritually through faith, prayer and the Word of God so that we are not infected by the lack of faith and anxiety of those we lead. We shall recall that immediately the people said to Aaron ““Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” 2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:1-4). Aaron who was supposed to lead the people and remind them of God’s presence and faithfulness was rather overcome by fear because he was worried about what the people might do to him if he did not fulfill their sinful desire. He felt insecure among the people and fulfilled their ungodly and abominable desires. We see the manifestation of Aaron’s fear when Moses asked him, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” 22 “Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. (Exodus 32:21-22). Dear friend in the Lord, as a pastor, catechist, presbyter, group leader or an elder fear can make us stupid sometimes. When we refuse to seek the face of God in prayer and to consult His Word regarding the demands made on us by the people we lead we may end up misleading them or making unwise decisions. Peter and the other Apostles have admonished us that “We must obey God rather than human beings! (Acts 5:29). If you are a Christian leader and you are fond of pleasing your congregants because you fear them or you feel insecure among them, you will end up making stupid decisions. It is better to please God than to follow the ungodly instructions of people who lack faith and the knowledge of the Word and will of God. Like Jeremiah, Christian leaders are being assured by God that “You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:7-8). Christian leaders are God’s signpost who must constantly direct God’s people to God and not away from God. It is for this reason that James cautioned us, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1). To be a Christian leader means that you will sometimes be insulted and even persecuted on account of your faith and faithfulness to God. We must not fear persecution and consequently make stupid decisions that will mislead the few who are faithful to God but be ever ready to speak the truth and defend the truth. Let us listen to Paul’s admonishment to Timothy when he wrote, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). Beloved in the Lord, Jesus assures us that “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme, “Fear can make us stupid”. We have discovered that lack of faith and insecurity breeds fear, and fear can make us stupid. May the Holy Spirit empower us to overcome fear through faith so that we shall always trust the Lord and please Him in our decision-making.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, help us to follow the perfect example of Jesus in pleasing God always. May we never be overcome by fear but always be strengthened through faith, prayer and the Word of God to make decisions pleasing to the Lord. Amen