Last night I could not sleep and I realized that I was fearful.  It was a subtle fear of uncertainty and anxiousness, a foreboding dread of something bad.  I recalled Psalms 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I repeat this over, I shall not want and I will fear no evil, for you are with me. The fear subsided and I was left awake, but at peace.

I can not imagine the torment experienced by the lost who have no assurance, no helper, no savior.  However, Yeshua told us, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28).  This world is full of uncertainty, sadness, and difficulty, but the peace that transcends all understanding, peace in the midst of the storm, this peace of God rests upon His people.

Fear has to do with punishment but believers have been set free from the curse of the law and of punishment.  Yes, we experience the discipline of the Lord and we are not exempt from the difficulties inherent in the world as a result of our fallen nature, but we have hope and a loving God as our rock and shelter, to whom we run to and are safe.  His Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans too deep for words and we walk in the path of righteousness and peace.  He provides a way of escape for us and takes pity on us, snatching us from the fire.

“Though your sins be as scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though your sins be as scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they be red like crimson,

They shall be as wool!”

“Though your sins be as scarlet,

Though your sins be as scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow,

They shall be as white as snow.”

This great old Hymn calls out in acknowledgement and confession that our sins are scarlet red and echos back in a soft calm reply, they shall be removed, cast into the depths of the sea of forgetfulness and made white as snow.  What a great peace it is to be forgiven by God’s grace and mercy.  It is the well-spring of peace, a never-ending flow that we may access as often as necessary.  All believers know this, unless they have forgotten by the cares of this life.  To those who hear this description of peace, rest and freedom, but do not experience it; you only have to call out to the Son of God and ask Him.  If you are sincere and desperate enough to be heard above those around you telling you to hush, Yeshua Messiah will come to you.

“Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’  The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’  Jesus stopped and called them.  ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’ ”  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matt. 20: 30-34).