A World of Worries

M

veryone sometimes feels fear at the thought of dying.

I did as a 6-year-old boy when I was alone in the fields keeping he ear f the cows out of the wheat and I had nothing else to do but think. eath I felt it again when a 4th grade classmate died and I saw his Read: body in the casket.

1 Cor. 15:50-58 I am now in my early seventies. I have experienced the Jesus Christ . . . has death of my grandparents, my abolished death and uncles and aunts, my parents, brought life and three brothers, a baby daughimmortality to light ter, and many in-laws. I have through the gospel. ministered to scores of dying —2 Timothy 1:10 people—many of them dear friends. I have proclaimed the comfort of the Scriptures at hundreds of funerals. Yet even now feelings of dread occasionally sweep over me as I contemplate death—my own and that of family members.

Everyone probably experiences these emotions. Our apprehension may come from an awareness of our many sins and the realization that we will stand before a perfect God. But we who believe on Jesus need not let the fact of our sinfulness overcome us. By focusing on the truth that Jesus paid the price for our sins, broke the power of death by His resurrection, and is preparing a place for us in heaven, we find deliverance from fear.

We can rest peacefully in the assurance that death cannot hurt us. —Herb Vander Lugt

Lord Jesus, grant Your promised peace As in Your love I come to rest; And bid my fears and turmoil cease— O sovereign Lord, You know what’s best. —D. DeHaan

To Him I trust my soul, my dust, When flesh and spirit sever; The Christ we sing has plucked the sting Away from death forever. —Anon.

If you rest in the Lord, fear will not keep you from sleeping.

Only faith in Jesus can remove the fear of death.

AG N ’ S

V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 1

Day 6

T F D

A World of Worries

E

any different fears can keep us from getting a good night’s sleep, but for some people the fear of death is the worst. A ood millionaire toy designer referred death as a “disgraceful defeat, ight s leep toa mockery, . . . an insult.” He told a reporter that at night he tries to Read: escape into fantasy, imagining Psalm 3 & 4 himself in a safe and cozy fortress with high walls and barred I will both lie down doors. These thoughts sometimes in peace, and sleep; help him get a few hours of fitful for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell sleep. in safety. —Psalm 4:8 Knowing that we are right with God can help us fall asleep and get the rest we need. That’s one message that comes through loud and clear in Psalms 3 and 4. These two songs were written by David during a time when his life was in danger. His son Absalom had led a rebellion against him and had driven him out of Jerusalem. It looked bad for David.

In earlier years, however, David had come to realize that he could indeed trust the Lord. As a result, during this difficult time, he could get up in the morning and say, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). And in the evening he could say with confidence, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

I’d rather be right with God and sleep like David than be a fearful millionaire. Wouldn’t you?

—Herb Vander Lugt Day 5

O

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 15, Kilsyth, VIC 3137, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9761-7086, Fax: (+61-3) 8080-3235, australia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Limited (Hong Kong) PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216, hongkong@rbc.org RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 2902-8950, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975, indonesia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara 630-0291, Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299, japan@rbc.org RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 353-1718, Fax: (+060-7) 353-4439, malaysia@rbc.org RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, Auckland 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156, newzealand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 47-260, Taipei 10399, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2585-5340, Fax: (+886-2) 2585-5349, taiwan@rbc.org RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-5166, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016, thailand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400, singapore@rbc.org

V5358

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

A

World of

Worries Fear or Faith?

Fear plagues everyone. No one escapes its disquieting grip. Even in fairly stable and secure countries, people are afraid. We worry over pesticides and flu pandemics, global warming, and terrorism. While science, government, and psychiatry can deal with some of these fears, there are other fear-producing circumstances that even the world’s most powerful military force can’t prevent, such as an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, or a fatal disease.

Among all these fears, one fear overshadows all the rest—the fear of our inescapable appointment with death and God’s judgment. The only antidote for this anxiety, and ultimately all others, is found in gaining confidence that we are in God’s protective care.

These selections from Our Daily Bread are intended to encourage and instruct you. If you enjoy these articles and would like to receive this devotional, just complete the request form on this leaflet and send it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2008, 2013 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM

M

E

any different fears can keep us from getting a good night’s sleep, but for some people the fear of death is the worst. A ood millionaire toy designer referred death as a “disgraceful defeat, ight s leep toa mockery, . . . an insult.” He told a reporter that at night he tries to Read: escape into fantasy, imagining Psalm 3 & 4 himself in a safe and cozy fortress with high walls and barred I will both lie down doors. These thoughts sometimes in peace, and sleep; help him get a few hours of fitful for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell sleep. in safety. —Psalm 4:8 Knowing that we are right with God can help us fall asleep and get the rest we need. That’s one message that comes through loud and clear in Psalms 3 and 4. These two songs were written by David during a time when his life was in danger. His son Absalom had led a rebellion against him and had driven him out of Jerusalem. It looked bad for David.

In earlier years, however, David had come to realize that he could indeed trust the Lord. As a result, during this difficult time, he could get up in the morning and say, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). And in the evening he could say with confidence, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

I’d rather be right with God and sleep like David than be a fearful millionaire. Wouldn’t you?

—Herb Vander Lugt

veryone sometimes feels fear at the thought of dying.

I did as a 6-year-old boy when I was alone in the fields keeping he ear f the cows out of the wheat and I had nothing else to do but think. eath I felt it again when a 4th grade classmate died and I saw his Read: body in the casket.

1 Cor. 15:50-58 I am now in my early seventies. I have experienced the Jesus Christ . . . has death of my grandparents, my abolished death and uncles and aunts, my parents, brought life and three brothers, a baby daughimmortality to light ter, and many in-laws. I have through the gospel. ministered to scores of dying —2 Timothy 1:10 people—many of them dear friends. I have proclaimed the comfort of the Scriptures at hundreds of funerals. Yet even now feelings of dread occasionally sweep over me as I contemplate death—my own and that of family members.

Everyone probably experiences these emotions. Our apprehension may come from an awareness of our many sins and the realization that we will stand before a perfect God. But we who believe on Jesus need not let the fact of our sinfulness overcome us. By focusing on the truth that Jesus paid the price for our sins, broke the power of death by His resurrection, and is preparing a place for us in heaven, we find deliverance from fear.

We can rest peacefully in the assurance that death cannot hurt us. —Herb Vander Lugt

Lord Jesus, grant Your promised peace As in Your love I come to rest; And bid my fears and turmoil cease— O sovereign Lord, You know what’s best. —D. DeHaan

To Him I trust my soul, my dust, When flesh and spirit sever; The Christ we sing has plucked the sting Away from death forever. —Anon.

If you rest in the Lord, fear will not keep you from sleeping.

Only faith in Jesus can remove the fear of death.

Day 5

AG N ’ S

V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 1

Day 6

T F D

A World of Worries

O

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 15, Kilsyth, VIC 3137, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9761-7086, Fax: (+61-3) 8080-3235, australia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Limited (Hong Kong) PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216, hongkong@rbc.org RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 2902-8950, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975, indonesia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara 630-0291, Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299, japan@rbc.org RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 353-1718, Fax: (+060-7) 353-4439, malaysia@rbc.org RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, Auckland 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156, newzealand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 47-260, Taipei 10399, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2585-5340, Fax: (+886-2) 2585-5349, taiwan@rbc.org RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-5166, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016, thailand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400, singapore@rbc.org

V5358

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

A

World of

Worries Fear or Faith?

Fear plagues everyone. No one escapes its disquieting grip. Even in fairly stable and secure countries, people are afraid. We worry over pesticides and flu pandemics, global warming, and terrorism. While science, government, and psychiatry can deal with some of these fears, there are other fear-producing circumstances that even the world’s most powerful military force can’t prevent, such as an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, or a fatal disease.

Among all these fears, one fear overshadows all the rest—the fear of our inescapable appointment with death and God’s judgment. The only antidote for this anxiety, and ultimately all others, is found in gaining confidence that we are in God’s protective care.

These selections from Our Daily Bread are intended to encourage and instruct you. If you enjoy these articles and would like to receive this devotional, just complete the request form on this leaflet and send it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2008, 2013 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM

Postcode:

I would like to receive additional reading materials.

Please send Our Daily Bread to me at the address below.

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Please send related Christian materials for my further reading.

IMPORTANT: WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCESS A REQUEST MADE ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONSENT. Respecting your privacy is important to us, and we will not share your personal information with any other organization.

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Return this form to the RBC Ministries office nearest you! (See list on last page.)

V5358

V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 2

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S

riting in The Baltimore Sun, Laurie Jones emphasizes that it is not necessary to be victimized by stress. She points ow o out that “you, not outside events, how extensively stress anage tress control affects your life.”

Jones quotes stress-manageRead: ment consultant Donald Tubesing, Psalm 37:1-8 who says that stress is our response to the situation, not the situation Rest in the Lord, and itself. He gives this example: “If wait patiently for you get stuck in traffic, you can Him. —Psalm 37:7 work yourself up . . . and yell at anyone who beeps his horn. Or you could view the time you’re sitting there as the only uninterrupted 15 minutes you’ll have all day.”

John Curtis, founder and director of the University of Wisconsin Stress Management Institute, says, “I believe 90 percent of stress is brought on by not living in the present moment—worrying about what’s already happened, what’s going to happen, or what could happen.”

The advice of these stress management experts can be helpful. Our best counsel, however, comes from Psalm 37. When faced with trouble, we should “rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (v.7). As we ask for God’s help, claim His promises, and trust Him to carry us through, we can relax and stop worrying.

That’s how to manage stress. —Richard DeHaan

everal years ago, before cell phones became common, a seminar leader asked the audience, “If someone came into this ad ews meeting, called your name, and said, ‘You have a phone call,’

would you assume that it was good news or bad news?” Most Read: of us admitted we would think Psalm 112:1-10 it was bad news, but we weren’t He will not be afraid sure why. of evil tidings; his It points out a common burheart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. den many people carry—the fear of bad news. It may be a natural —Psalm 112:7 concern for the safety of those we love, but it can become an irrational dread of tragedy.

When we are most afraid, we most need confidence in God. Psalm 112 speaks of a person who fears the Lord, delights in His commandments, and is gracious to others (vv.1,4-5). But perhaps most striking is: “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (v.7).

A hymn by Frances Havergal reminds us that a trusting heart is the answer for a worried mind: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”

The Bible doesn’t promise that we will never receive bad news. But it does assure us that we don’t have to live each day in gnawing fear of what might happen.

“His heart is established; he will not be afraid” (v.8).

—David McCasland

When every worry, every care To God in faith is brought, We have no reason to allow One single anxious thought. —Anon

Giving up and giving in To pressures that we face Limits all that God can do If we but trust His grace. —Sper

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there. —Havergal

God invites us to burden Him with whatever burdens us.

Worry is futile but faith is fruitful.

Faith in the living God can take the fear out of living.

y poor computer! I had been adding programs to it, storing tons of information, and working on several big projects, and it ff oading had gotten overloaded. Finally it sent me a clear message, informur ares ing me that it was incapable of taking any more. If I didn’t relieve Read: it immediately, it was going to Psalm 55:16-23 “crash.”

So I got some extra disks and Cast your burden on the Lord, and He did some quick off-loading. I put each project on a disk of its own shall sustain you. and trashed a lot of stuff I no lon—Psalm 55:22 ger needed. My grateful computer breathed a sigh of relief and began functioning normally again.

Sometimes my life gets to be like my computer. I pack in so much responsibility and activity and commitment, and I carry so much unresolved emotion that I feel I can’t take it anymore. The burdens and cares seem enormous. If I’m honest, I’ll admit that I’m about to “crash.”

When we get signals of overload—sleeplessness, irritability, and worry—it’s time to do some off-loading. It’s time to drop some activities and responsibilities. We may need to say no to some requests. Above all, as the psalmist suggested, we must off-load our cares on the Lord. He has promised to help us carry our burdens.

—Dave Egner Day 1

O -L O C

Day 2

H T M S

Day 3

B N

S

wedish hymnist Lina Sandell Berg served with her father in an evangelistic ministry. As they were traveling by ship, he lways accidentally fell overboard and drowned. In need of the comvailable fort that only God can supply, she wrote the following words Read: that are still sung by Christians 2 Cor. 12:7-10 around the world: Day by day My grace is And with each passing moment, sufficient for you, for Strength I find My strength is made To meet my trials here; perfect in weakness.

Trusting in —2 Corinthians 12:9 My Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause For worry or for fear.

Secular counselors advise us to draw strength from our own inner resources. But that’s hopelessly unrealistic. The simple fact is that in and of ourselves we don’t have what it takes to deal with all of life’s pressures and problems. Even the strongest among us have weaknesses. We’re susceptible to vacillating moods, sinful temptations, and enslaving habits.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the apostle Paul referred to a weakness he called a “thorn in the flesh.” But he didn’t tough it out on his own. He prayed for deliverance, but instead he was strengthened by the Lord so that he could endure his overwhelming difficulties.

In times of conflict and defeat, we are forced to confess that we need a source of strength beyond ourselves.

And we can rejoice that there’s an always-available source on which we can draw—the inexhaustible grace of God. —Vernon Grounds Day 4

A A

When God gives a burden, He always gives the grace to bear it.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM

Postcode:

I would like to receive additional reading materials.

Please send Our Daily Bread to me at the address below.

(HP)

Please send related Christian materials for my further reading.

IMPORTANT: WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCESS A REQUEST MADE ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONSENT. Respecting your privacy is important to us, and we will not share your personal information with any other organization.

(Office)

Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY):

Gender (M/F):

Church:

Full Name:

Address:

Tel: (Home)

Occupation:

Email:

Return this form to the RBC Ministries office nearest you! (See list on last page.)

V5358

V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 2

M

W

S

riting in The Baltimore Sun, Laurie Jones emphasizes that it is not necessary to be victimized by stress. She points ow o out that “you, not outside events, how extensively stress anage tress control affects your life.”

Jones quotes stress-manageRead: ment consultant Donald Tubesing, Psalm 37:1-8 who says that stress is our response to the situation, not the situation Rest in the Lord, and itself. He gives this example: “If wait patiently for you get stuck in traffic, you can Him. —Psalm 37:7 work yourself up . . . and yell at anyone who beeps his horn. Or you could view the time you’re sitting there as the only uninterrupted 15 minutes you’ll have all day.”

John Curtis, founder and director of the University of Wisconsin Stress Management Institute, says, “I believe 90 percent of stress is brought on by not living in the present moment—worrying about what’s already happened, what’s going to happen, or what could happen.”

The advice of these stress management experts can be helpful. Our best counsel, however, comes from Psalm 37. When faced with trouble, we should “rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (v.7). As we ask for God’s help, claim His promises, and trust Him to carry us through, we can relax and stop worrying.

That’s how to manage stress. —Richard DeHaan

everal years ago, before cell phones became common, a seminar leader asked the audience, “If someone came into this ad ews meeting, called your name, and said, ‘You have a phone call,’

would you assume that it was good news or bad news?” Most Read: of us admitted we would think Psalm 112:1-10 it was bad news, but we weren’t He will not be afraid sure why. of evil tidings; his It points out a common burheart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. den many people carry—the fear of bad news. It may be a natural —Psalm 112:7 concern for the safety of those we love, but it can become an irrational dread of tragedy.

When we are most afraid, we most need confidence in God. Psalm 112 speaks of a person who fears the Lord, delights in His commandments, and is gracious to others (vv.1,4-5). But perhaps most striking is: “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (v.7).

A hymn by Frances Havergal reminds us that a trusting heart is the answer for a worried mind: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”

The Bible doesn’t promise that we will never receive bad news. But it does assure us that we don’t have to live each day in gnawing fear of what might happen.

“His heart is established; he will not be afraid” (v.8).

—David McCasland

When every worry, every care To God in faith is brought, We have no reason to allow One single anxious thought. —Anon

Giving up and giving in To pressures that we face Limits all that God can do If we but trust His grace. —Sper

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there. —Havergal

God invites us to burden Him with whatever burdens us.

Worry is futile but faith is fruitful.

Faith in the living God can take the fear out of living.

y poor computer! I had been adding programs to it, storing tons of information, and working on several big projects, and it ff oading had gotten overloaded. Finally it sent me a clear message, informur ares ing me that it was incapable of taking any more. If I didn’t relieve Read: it immediately, it was going to Psalm 55:16-23 “crash.”

So I got some extra disks and Cast your burden on the Lord, and He did some quick off-loading. I put each project on a disk of its own shall sustain you. and trashed a lot of stuff I no lon—Psalm 55:22 ger needed. My grateful computer breathed a sigh of relief and began functioning normally again.

Sometimes my life gets to be like my computer. I pack in so much responsibility and activity and commitment, and I carry so much unresolved emotion that I feel I can’t take it anymore. The burdens and cares seem enormous. If I’m honest, I’ll admit that I’m about to “crash.”

When we get signals of overload—sleeplessness, irritability, and worry—it’s time to do some off-loading. It’s time to drop some activities and responsibilities. We may need to say no to some requests. Above all, as the psalmist suggested, we must off-load our cares on the Lord. He has promised to help us carry our burdens.

—Dave Egner Day 1

O -L O C

Day 2

H T M S

Day 3

B N

S

wedish hymnist Lina Sandell Berg served with her father in an evangelistic ministry. As they were traveling by ship, he lways accidentally fell overboard and drowned. In need of the comvailable fort that only God can supply, she wrote the following words Read: that are still sung by Christians 2 Cor. 12:7-10 around the world: Day by day My grace is And with each passing moment, sufficient for you, for Strength I find My strength is made To meet my trials here; perfect in weakness.

Trusting in —2 Corinthians 12:9 My Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause For worry or for fear.

Secular counselors advise us to draw strength from our own inner resources. But that’s hopelessly unrealistic. The simple fact is that in and of ourselves we don’t have what it takes to deal with all of life’s pressures and problems. Even the strongest among us have weaknesses. We’re susceptible to vacillating moods, sinful temptations, and enslaving habits.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the apostle Paul referred to a weakness he called a “thorn in the flesh.” But he didn’t tough it out on his own. He prayed for deliverance, but instead he was strengthened by the Lord so that he could endure his overwhelming difficulties.

In times of conflict and defeat, we are forced to confess that we need a source of strength beyond ourselves.

And we can rejoice that there’s an always-available source on which we can draw—the inexhaustible grace of God. —Vernon Grounds Day 4

A A

When God gives a burden, He always gives the grace to bear it.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM

Postcode:

I would like to receive additional reading materials.

Please send Our Daily Bread to me at the address below.

(HP)

Please send related Christian materials for my further reading.

IMPORTANT: WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCESS A REQUEST MADE ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONSENT. Respecting your privacy is important to us, and we will not share your personal information with any other organization.

(Office)

Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY):

Gender (M/F):

Church:

Full Name:

Address:

Tel: (Home)

Occupation:

Email:

Return this form to the RBC Ministries office nearest you! (See list on last page.)

V5358

V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 2

M

W

S

riting in The Baltimore Sun, Laurie Jones emphasizes that it is not necessary to be victimized by stress. She points ow o out that “you, not outside events, how extensively stress anage tress control affects your life.”

Jones quotes stress-manageRead: ment consultant Donald Tubesing, Psalm 37:1-8 who says that stress is our response to the situation, not the situation Rest in the Lord, and itself. He gives this example: “If wait patiently for you get stuck in traffic, you can Him. —Psalm 37:7 work yourself up . . . and yell at anyone who beeps his horn. Or you could view the time you’re sitting there as the only uninterrupted 15 minutes you’ll have all day.”

John Curtis, founder and director of the University of Wisconsin Stress Management Institute, says, “I believe 90 percent of stress is brought on by not living in the present moment—worrying about what’s already happened, what’s going to happen, or what could happen.”

The advice of these stress management experts can be helpful. Our best counsel, however, comes from Psalm 37. When faced with trouble, we should “rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (v.7). As we ask for God’s help, claim His promises, and trust Him to carry us through, we can relax and stop worrying.

That’s how to manage stress. —Richard DeHaan

everal years ago, before cell phones became common, a seminar leader asked the audience, “If someone came into this ad ews meeting, called your name, and said, ‘You have a phone call,’

would you assume that it was good news or bad news?” Most Read: of us admitted we would think Psalm 112:1-10 it was bad news, but we weren’t He will not be afraid sure why. of evil tidings; his It points out a common burheart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. den many people carry—the fear of bad news. It may be a natural —Psalm 112:7 concern for the safety of those we love, but it can become an irrational dread of tragedy.

When we are most afraid, we most need confidence in God. Psalm 112 speaks of a person who fears the Lord, delights in His commandments, and is gracious to others (vv.1,4-5). But perhaps most striking is: “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (v.7).

A hymn by Frances Havergal reminds us that a trusting heart is the answer for a worried mind: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”

The Bible doesn’t promise that we will never receive bad news. But it does assure us that we don’t have to live each day in gnawing fear of what might happen.

“His heart is established; he will not be afraid” (v.8).

—David McCasland

When every worry, every care To God in faith is brought, We have no reason to allow One single anxious thought. —Anon

Giving up and giving in To pressures that we face Limits all that God can do If we but trust His grace. —Sper

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there. —Havergal

God invites us to burden Him with whatever burdens us.

Worry is futile but faith is fruitful.

Faith in the living God can take the fear out of living.

y poor computer! I had been adding programs to it, storing tons of information, and working on several big projects, and it ff oading had gotten overloaded. Finally it sent me a clear message, informur ares ing me that it was incapable of taking any more. If I didn’t relieve Read: it immediately, it was going to Psalm 55:16-23 “crash.”

So I got some extra disks and Cast your burden on the Lord, and He did some quick off-loading. I put each project on a disk of its own shall sustain you. and trashed a lot of stuff I no lon—Psalm 55:22 ger needed. My grateful computer breathed a sigh of relief and began functioning normally again.

Sometimes my life gets to be like my computer. I pack in so much responsibility and activity and commitment, and I carry so much unresolved emotion that I feel I can’t take it anymore. The burdens and cares seem enormous. If I’m honest, I’ll admit that I’m about to “crash.”

When we get signals of overload—sleeplessness, irritability, and worry—it’s time to do some off-loading. It’s time to drop some activities and responsibilities. We may need to say no to some requests. Above all, as the psalmist suggested, we must off-load our cares on the Lord. He has promised to help us carry our burdens.

—Dave Egner Day 1

O -L O C

Day 2

H T M S

Day 3

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wedish hymnist Lina Sandell Berg served with her father in an evangelistic ministry. As they were traveling by ship, he lways accidentally fell overboard and drowned. In need of the comvailable fort that only God can supply, she wrote the following words Read: that are still sung by Christians 2 Cor. 12:7-10 around the world: Day by day My grace is And with each passing moment, sufficient for you, for Strength I find My strength is made To meet my trials here; perfect in weakness.

Trusting in —2 Corinthians 12:9 My Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause For worry or for fear.

Secular counselors advise us to draw strength from our own inner resources. But that’s hopelessly unrealistic. The simple fact is that in and of ourselves we don’t have what it takes to deal with all of life’s pressures and problems. Even the strongest among us have weaknesses. We’re susceptible to vacillating moods, sinful temptations, and enslaving habits.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the apostle Paul referred to a weakness he called a “thorn in the flesh.” But he didn’t tough it out on his own. He prayed for deliverance, but instead he was strengthened by the Lord so that he could endure his overwhelming difficulties.

In times of conflict and defeat, we are forced to confess that we need a source of strength beyond ourselves.

And we can rejoice that there’s an always-available source on which we can draw—the inexhaustible grace of God. —Vernon Grounds Day 4

A A

When God gives a burden, He always gives the grace to bear it.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM

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V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 2

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riting in The Baltimore Sun, Laurie Jones emphasizes that it is not necessary to be victimized by stress. She points ow o out that “you, not outside events, how extensively stress anage tress control affects your life.”

Jones quotes stress-manageRead: ment consultant Donald Tubesing, Psalm 37:1-8 who says that stress is our response to the situation, not the situation Rest in the Lord, and itself. He gives this example: “If wait patiently for you get stuck in traffic, you can Him. —Psalm 37:7 work yourself up . . . and yell at anyone who beeps his horn. Or you could view the time you’re sitting there as the only uninterrupted 15 minutes you’ll have all day.”

John Curtis, founder and director of the University of Wisconsin Stress Management Institute, says, “I believe 90 percent of stress is brought on by not living in the present moment—worrying about what’s already happened, what’s going to happen, or what could happen.”

The advice of these stress management experts can be helpful. Our best counsel, however, comes from Psalm 37. When faced with trouble, we should “rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (v.7). As we ask for God’s help, claim His promises, and trust Him to carry us through, we can relax and stop worrying.

That’s how to manage stress. —Richard DeHaan

everal years ago, before cell phones became common, a seminar leader asked the audience, “If someone came into this ad ews meeting, called your name, and said, ‘You have a phone call,’

would you assume that it was good news or bad news?” Most Read: of us admitted we would think Psalm 112:1-10 it was bad news, but we weren’t He will not be afraid sure why. of evil tidings; his It points out a common burheart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. den many people carry—the fear of bad news. It may be a natural —Psalm 112:7 concern for the safety of those we love, but it can become an irrational dread of tragedy.

When we are most afraid, we most need confidence in God. Psalm 112 speaks of a person who fears the Lord, delights in His commandments, and is gracious to others (vv.1,4-5). But perhaps most striking is: “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (v.7).

A hymn by Frances Havergal reminds us that a trusting heart is the answer for a worried mind: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”

The Bible doesn’t promise that we will never receive bad news. But it does assure us that we don’t have to live each day in gnawing fear of what might happen.

“His heart is established; he will not be afraid” (v.8).

—David McCasland

When every worry, every care To God in faith is brought, We have no reason to allow One single anxious thought. —Anon

Giving up and giving in To pressures that we face Limits all that God can do If we but trust His grace. —Sper

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there. —Havergal

God invites us to burden Him with whatever burdens us.

Worry is futile but faith is fruitful.

Faith in the living God can take the fear out of living.

y poor computer! I had been adding programs to it, storing tons of information, and working on several big projects, and it ff oading had gotten overloaded. Finally it sent me a clear message, informur ares ing me that it was incapable of taking any more. If I didn’t relieve Read: it immediately, it was going to Psalm 55:16-23 “crash.”

So I got some extra disks and Cast your burden on the Lord, and He did some quick off-loading. I put each project on a disk of its own shall sustain you. and trashed a lot of stuff I no lon—Psalm 55:22 ger needed. My grateful computer breathed a sigh of relief and began functioning normally again.

Sometimes my life gets to be like my computer. I pack in so much responsibility and activity and commitment, and I carry so much unresolved emotion that I feel I can’t take it anymore. The burdens and cares seem enormous. If I’m honest, I’ll admit that I’m about to “crash.”

When we get signals of overload—sleeplessness, irritability, and worry—it’s time to do some off-loading. It’s time to drop some activities and responsibilities. We may need to say no to some requests. Above all, as the psalmist suggested, we must off-load our cares on the Lord. He has promised to help us carry our burdens.

—Dave Egner Day 1

O -L O C

Day 2

H T M S

Day 3

B N

S

wedish hymnist Lina Sandell Berg served with her father in an evangelistic ministry. As they were traveling by ship, he lways accidentally fell overboard and drowned. In need of the comvailable fort that only God can supply, she wrote the following words Read: that are still sung by Christians 2 Cor. 12:7-10 around the world: Day by day My grace is And with each passing moment, sufficient for you, for Strength I find My strength is made To meet my trials here; perfect in weakness.

Trusting in —2 Corinthians 12:9 My Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause For worry or for fear.

Secular counselors advise us to draw strength from our own inner resources. But that’s hopelessly unrealistic. The simple fact is that in and of ourselves we don’t have what it takes to deal with all of life’s pressures and problems. Even the strongest among us have weaknesses. We’re susceptible to vacillating moods, sinful temptations, and enslaving habits.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the apostle Paul referred to a weakness he called a “thorn in the flesh.” But he didn’t tough it out on his own. He prayed for deliverance, but instead he was strengthened by the Lord so that he could endure his overwhelming difficulties.

In times of conflict and defeat, we are forced to confess that we need a source of strength beyond ourselves.

And we can rejoice that there’s an always-available source on which we can draw—the inexhaustible grace of God. —Vernon Grounds Day 4

A A

When God gives a burden, He always gives the grace to bear it.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM

M

E

any different fears can keep us from getting a good night’s sleep, but for some people the fear of death is the worst. A ood millionaire toy designer referred death as a “disgraceful defeat, ight s leep toa mockery, . . . an insult.” He told a reporter that at night he tries to Read: escape into fantasy, imagining Psalm 3 & 4 himself in a safe and cozy fortress with high walls and barred I will both lie down doors. These thoughts sometimes in peace, and sleep; help him get a few hours of fitful for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell sleep. in safety. —Psalm 4:8 Knowing that we are right with God can help us fall asleep and get the rest we need. That’s one message that comes through loud and clear in Psalms 3 and 4. These two songs were written by David during a time when his life was in danger. His son Absalom had led a rebellion against him and had driven him out of Jerusalem. It looked bad for David.

In earlier years, however, David had come to realize that he could indeed trust the Lord. As a result, during this difficult time, he could get up in the morning and say, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). And in the evening he could say with confidence, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

I’d rather be right with God and sleep like David than be a fearful millionaire. Wouldn’t you?

—Herb Vander Lugt

veryone sometimes feels fear at the thought of dying.

I did as a 6-year-old boy when I was alone in the fields keeping he ear f the cows out of the wheat and I had nothing else to do but think. eath I felt it again when a 4th grade classmate died and I saw his Read: body in the casket.

1 Cor. 15:50-58 I am now in my early seventies. I have experienced the Jesus Christ . . . has death of my grandparents, my abolished death and uncles and aunts, my parents, brought life and three brothers, a baby daughimmortality to light ter, and many in-laws. I have through the gospel. ministered to scores of dying —2 Timothy 1:10 people—many of them dear friends. I have proclaimed the comfort of the Scriptures at hundreds of funerals. Yet even now feelings of dread occasionally sweep over me as I contemplate death—my own and that of family members.

Everyone probably experiences these emotions. Our apprehension may come from an awareness of our many sins and the realization that we will stand before a perfect God. But we who believe on Jesus need not let the fact of our sinfulness overcome us. By focusing on the truth that Jesus paid the price for our sins, broke the power of death by His resurrection, and is preparing a place for us in heaven, we find deliverance from fear.

We can rest peacefully in the assurance that death cannot hurt us. —Herb Vander Lugt

Lord Jesus, grant Your promised peace As in Your love I come to rest; And bid my fears and turmoil cease— O sovereign Lord, You know what’s best. —D. DeHaan

To Him I trust my soul, my dust, When flesh and spirit sever; The Christ we sing has plucked the sting Away from death forever. —Anon.

If you rest in the Lord, fear will not keep you from sleeping.

Only faith in Jesus can remove the fear of death.

Day 5

AG N ’ S

V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 1

Day 6

T F D

A World of Worries

O

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 15, Kilsyth, VIC 3137, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9761-7086, Fax: (+61-3) 8080-3235, australia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Limited (Hong Kong) PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216, hongkong@rbc.org RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 2902-8950, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975, indonesia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara 630-0291, Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299, japan@rbc.org RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 353-1718, Fax: (+060-7) 353-4439, malaysia@rbc.org RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, Auckland 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156, newzealand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 47-260, Taipei 10399, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2585-5340, Fax: (+886-2) 2585-5349, taiwan@rbc.org RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-5166, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016, thailand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400, singapore@rbc.org

V5358

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

A

World of

Worries Fear or Faith?

Fear plagues everyone. No one escapes its disquieting grip. Even in fairly stable and secure countries, people are afraid. We worry over pesticides and flu pandemics, global warming, and terrorism. While science, government, and psychiatry can deal with some of these fears, there are other fear-producing circumstances that even the world’s most powerful military force can’t prevent, such as an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, or a fatal disease.

Among all these fears, one fear overshadows all the rest—the fear of our inescapable appointment with death and God’s judgment. The only antidote for this anxiety, and ultimately all others, is found in gaining confidence that we are in God’s protective care.

These selections from Our Daily Bread are intended to encourage and instruct you. If you enjoy these articles and would like to receive this devotional, just complete the request form on this leaflet and send it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2008, 2013 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM

M

E

any different fears can keep us from getting a good night’s sleep, but for some people the fear of death is the worst. A ood millionaire toy designer referred death as a “disgraceful defeat, ight s leep toa mockery, . . . an insult.” He told a reporter that at night he tries to Read: escape into fantasy, imagining Psalm 3 & 4 himself in a safe and cozy fortress with high walls and barred I will both lie down doors. These thoughts sometimes in peace, and sleep; help him get a few hours of fitful for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell sleep. in safety. —Psalm 4:8 Knowing that we are right with God can help us fall asleep and get the rest we need. That’s one message that comes through loud and clear in Psalms 3 and 4. These two songs were written by David during a time when his life was in danger. His son Absalom had led a rebellion against him and had driven him out of Jerusalem. It looked bad for David.

In earlier years, however, David had come to realize that he could indeed trust the Lord. As a result, during this difficult time, he could get up in the morning and say, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). And in the evening he could say with confidence, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

I’d rather be right with God and sleep like David than be a fearful millionaire. Wouldn’t you?

—Herb Vander Lugt

veryone sometimes feels fear at the thought of dying.

I did as a 6-year-old boy when I was alone in the fields keeping he ear f the cows out of the wheat and I had nothing else to do but think. eath I felt it again when a 4th grade classmate died and I saw his Read: body in the casket.

1 Cor. 15:50-58 I am now in my early seventies. I have experienced the Jesus Christ . . . has death of my grandparents, my abolished death and uncles and aunts, my parents, brought life and three brothers, a baby daughimmortality to light ter, and many in-laws. I have through the gospel. ministered to scores of dying —2 Timothy 1:10 people—many of them dear friends. I have proclaimed the comfort of the Scriptures at hundreds of funerals. Yet even now feelings of dread occasionally sweep over me as I contemplate death—my own and that of family members.

Everyone probably experiences these emotions. Our apprehension may come from an awareness of our many sins and the realization that we will stand before a perfect God. But we who believe on Jesus need not let the fact of our sinfulness overcome us. By focusing on the truth that Jesus paid the price for our sins, broke the power of death by His resurrection, and is preparing a place for us in heaven, we find deliverance from fear.

We can rest peacefully in the assurance that death cannot hurt us. —Herb Vander Lugt

Lord Jesus, grant Your promised peace As in Your love I come to rest; And bid my fears and turmoil cease— O sovereign Lord, You know what’s best. —D. DeHaan

To Him I trust my soul, my dust, When flesh and spirit sever; The Christ we sing has plucked the sting Away from death forever. —Anon.

If you rest in the Lord, fear will not keep you from sleeping.

Only faith in Jesus can remove the fear of death.

Day 5

AG N ’ S

V5358 OccODB-ENworry-r01-211013.indd 1

Day 6

T F D

A World of Worries

O

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 15, Kilsyth, VIC 3137, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9761-7086, Fax: (+61-3) 8080-3235, australia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Limited (Hong Kong) PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216, hongkong@rbc.org RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 2902-8950, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975, indonesia@rbc.org RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara 630-0291, Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299, japan@rbc.org RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 353-1718, Fax: (+060-7) 353-4439, malaysia@rbc.org RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, Auckland 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156, newzealand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 47-260, Taipei 10399, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2585-5340, Fax: (+886-2) 2585-5349, taiwan@rbc.org RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-5166, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016, thailand@rbc.org RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400, singapore@rbc.org

V5358

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

A

World of

Worries Fear or Faith?

Fear plagues everyone. No one escapes its disquieting grip. Even in fairly stable and secure countries, people are afraid. We worry over pesticides and flu pandemics, global warming, and terrorism. While science, government, and psychiatry can deal with some of these fears, there are other fear-producing circumstances that even the world’s most powerful military force can’t prevent, such as an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, or a fatal disease.

Among all these fears, one fear overshadows all the rest—the fear of our inescapable appointment with death and God’s judgment. The only antidote for this anxiety, and ultimately all others, is found in gaining confidence that we are in God’s protective care.

These selections from Our Daily Bread are intended to encourage and instruct you. If you enjoy these articles and would like to receive this devotional, just complete the request form on this leaflet and send it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2008, 2013 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

22/10/2013 9:40 AM