I lift my eyes up, unto the mountains. Where does my help come from? (Sung)

The year was 1932, and Franklin D. Roosevelt said as little as possible about what he might do if elected president. His speeches were upbeat, optimistic, lighthearted, humorous. Even hopeful. How audacious! But when he won the election, his 1^st inaugural address was somber and serious. You see the country was in the depths of the Great Depression, so FDR broadly outlined how he hoped to lead. He reminded the people that our “common difficulties” concerned “only material things.”

Here are a few Nuggets from Roosevelt’s speech. He said, “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. … So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself….Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.”

In the days following 911, only a foolish optimist could deny our shock, our disbelief, our fear. How could this have happened? This is so unreal. Could it happen again? I’m afraid. I feel so alone. We cried out with the Psalmist, “Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs: ‘Be good to me! Answer me!’ When my heart whispered, ‘Seek God,’ my whole being replied, ‘I’m seeking him!’ Don’t hide from me now! You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now. Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open.” Psalm 27:7-9 

It’s reasonable for us to be scared sometimes. There are so many dangers in the world. Some that are real and others that we make up in our own minds. I know a thing or two about fear. A close friend of mine once said, “Why are you so paranoid? What are you so afraid of?” I think it goes back to the Psalmist. I’m afraid to be abandoned. I’m afraid to be alone.

Fears. If we give in to them, they can eventually destroy us. So what have we learned since Sept. 11, 2001, that we didn’t know before, or maybe we had forgotten? Well I’m learning that if we allow God to work in us, God will gradually transform our fear to faith.

I lift my eyes up, unto the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from you, maker of heaven, creator of the earth. (Sung)

The Bible reminds us, “With God on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing…. When besieged, I’m calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.” Psalm 27:1, 3 It also says, “God met me more than halfway, God freed me from my anxious fears…. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.” Psalm 34: 4, 6-8

God holds you, comforts you, and whispers, in a still, small voice: “It’s OK. Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Psalm 41:10 I’d like to think those are words that persons who died on 911 heard in their last minutes. I hope those are words their loved ones left behind have heard. And I pray those are words you have heard in your own life a time or two. Words of assurance, comfort, and peace. Words to strengthen your faith. 

Oh, Lord, I need you now. You are our only hope. You are our only prayer. So I will wait for you, to come and rescue me. To come and give me life. (Sung)

“Don’t panic. Fear not!” A member of New Day UMC thought that meant God was saying, “Suck it up!” But no. Our God is compassionate. “Fear not” is an expression of healing. (“Fear not.”) An expression of assurance. (“I am with you.”) An expression of hope. (“I will never leave you or abandon you.”) Again it’s God saying, “It’s going to be OK. It REALLY is. Yes, you’re going to have trouble in this world, but take heart. I’ve overcome the world. Keep the faith, my child.”

Trusting we come into the world, but unfortunately we allow fear to overtake that faith that God created in us. We ARE created in God’s Image, after all. In the image of a God who is trustworthy and faithful. In the image of a God who believes and has faith in the goodness humankind.   

So “I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with God in God’s house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate God’s beauty; I’ll study at God’s feet. That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic…. I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth. So stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God.” Psalm 27: 4, 5, 13, 14

Roosevelt said, “Our distress comes from no failure of substance. We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for…. We do not distrust the future….”

We have still much to be thankful for. We do not distrust the future. So will we Live in Fear, or by Faith? It’s a Choice. Which do YOU choose?

I lift my eyes up, unto the mountains. Where does my help come from? (Sung)