Is the Lord’s eye on you?

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:18-19

These days are uncertain days. But uncertain days need not be fearful days. The psalmist reassures us that we have a God who is paying attention to everyone who “fears” him.

But if we are to “fear” God, how does that take away the fears of life? How can fear overcome fear?

You must first of all realize that fear has two aspects: fear as respect or fear as fright.

Let me illustrate. I enjoy doing electrical wiring in my home. But, as you know, electricity can be deadly – people die of electrocution. Because of this many people are fearful of getting close to electrical wiring, as well they should be. However, for the electrician who knows about electricity and has the respect or fear of electricity that he should have, he will be safe. His fear (respect) of electricity removes the fear (dread or fright) of electricity so that he can do his work.

In the same way, as you learn about God, believe Him and come to fear (respect) Him, you have no need to fear (have dread or be afraid of) Him. Then, as you face the difficulties and fearful events of life, you have no need to fear them because your fear is in God who controls all things.

Perhaps the greatest fear (as fright) is that of death. But Jesus alleviates that fear because He said that whoever believes in Him will “not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This is not a promise to avoid physical death, but to avoid eternal death – the “perishing”. Jesus also said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” As the “resurrection” Jesus has power over death – eternal death – so that everyone who believes in Him will never die eternal death.