PARALYSED with fear

A man needed to cross a wide river which had frozen over.  He knew folk would be skating on it soon, but he was afraid the ice might still be too thin.  He tested it and it seemed very solid, but he wondered just how solid it might be in the middle of the river.  He decided to try and he could turn back if he found it too risky.
The first few metres were easy enough, but he soon became anxious.  He prodded the ice ahead and took another step.  Just one step at a time, prod ahead again, and then another.  He looked back and decided he must be getting near the middle of the river and started to imagine drowning in the icy water which might open up as the ice cracked under his feet.  He wondered if he should start crawling, but then thought that might put too large an area of heat on the ice, so continued prodding ahead and taking tiny steps.

He looked back again.  Yes, he must be half way by now.

He was almost exhausted, and was afraid to move he was so worried he could soon be in icy water.  He wouldn’t stand much chance if the ice cracked!  How foolish he had been to try it. Should he sit awhile?  No, he mustn’t. His body heat might just crack the ice under him.  He was almost paralysed with fear.

He looked back again, thinking to turn back – and then he saw, approaching at speed, two teams of dogs pulling heavily-laden sleds.  The driver skimmed past with a friendly wave and continued to the other side.

What a difference that made.  If the ice was solid enough for that load, it could surely hold him!  He proceeded without fear and soon reached the other side of the lake, feeling rather sheepish.

I remind myself of times I have been like that man. 

I have trembled at every step, almost paralysed with fear
– no, not on ice which could crack –
but on the rock-solid, never-failing promises of God!
How foolish! 

What does the Word of God say?

2 Corinthians 1:20   NKJV 
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen. 

Psalm 119:160  NKJV 
The entirety of Your word is truth,
and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Psalm 89:34 
My covenant I will not break,
nor alter the thing that is gone out of My mouth

Proverbs 29:25 
The fear of man brings a snare,
but WHOEVER TRUSTS IN THE LORD SHALL BE SAFE.

Hebrews 10:23 
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL.

By resting completely on Him and taking hold of His promises, we can enjoy His peace, driving out the paralysing fear that holds us down, and hinders our witness and our service. 

Isaiah 12:2
I will trust and not be afraid

I know a peace where there is no peace:
A calm when the wild winds blow:
A secret place,
Where face to face,
With the Master I may go.
And I find I’m strong,
Though the days be long,
And sorry the winds may blow:
When I seek His face In the secret place,
Of the Master whom I know.

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