Fear or Hope

This week we have seen good things. In a nation where people once practiced segregation, seeing an African-American elected to our highest office is something to celebrate. We have watched an exchange of power that other countries can only envy. Crowds gathered peacefully, young people marched in the parade, flags waved, people prayed, and the nation can and should celebrate all of that.

During this week of celebration over the presidential inauguration the word hope has been tossed around a lot. ‘You have chosen hope over fear” were the words, if I remember correctly, of our new president during his address to the crowds. Hope over fear. The words have a nice sound, don’t they? Of course we want hope. Everyone wants hope. But I am left with questions. (Yes, I know, I am always interrupting things with questions. My kids have complained about that often. Movies flood me with questions. Books. Sermons. The Bible. Nothing stops my questioning for long.) But what am I being asked to hope in, a man, this new man, who has little practice in leading? A different man, because we think that somehow a new person will not make the mistakes the old ones did? Perhaps he will be made of different mettle than the others were? Perhaps he will not carry the same weaknesses that the rest of humanity does? Perhaps he will bring change? All that remains to be seen. Perhaps he will bring change.

As much as we all want hope, none of us wants to live in fear. Decisions should not be based in fear. We should not have to live afraid. Should we? I have no desire to live a life of fear.

Yet, fear can work for us. The smoke from a volcanic eruption would cause fear. Fear that would be the impetus to move to a safe place. Thundering waves cause fear. Fear that might keep my kayak from ending up scattered in pieces over the rocks and me with it. Fear can be protective in the same way that pain can disclose danger. And there is another fear that I believe can protect us. That is fear of the Almighty God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 1:7

“For God has so worked that men may fear Him.” Eccl. 3:14

I fear a God who created the universe. I fear a God who was too terrifying for Moses to even look on. I fear a God who thunders, who destroys, who disciplines. I fear the great I Am.

“There is none like Thee, O Lord;
Thou art great, and great is Thy name in might.
Who would not fear thee, O King, of the nations?” Jeremiah 10:6,7

That fear drives me. But listen to what that awesome and terrifying one says.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love:
Therefore I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

And:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1: 12

I do live with fear then. Fear that I Am is angered when we destroy innocent life that was created in His image, especially on this anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Fear that there is one who is more awesome than we can imagine. Fear that He cares what we do and the choices we make.

So President Obama, I have to differ with you. I will choose fear of God over hope in a man. Come what may. And that fear leads to True Hope.