ATTACK OF THE KILLER VACUUM
Picture this. A sixty-five pound English bulldog, hiding under our bed, trembling in terror from a vacuum cleaner. Rosebud was a chunk of pure muscle, equally tall, long and wide. Her jaws possessed vice-like strength. Although her disposition was as sweet as candy, she was invincible against any foe. Rosebud feared nothing... except our vacuum.
As soon as the vacuum powered on, she raced under our bed, hiding from the beast. As the enemy advanced toward her, Rose dashed from her “bunker” snarling and biting her metal nemesis. Then retreating briefly, she re-emerged a few moments later to resume her foolish assault. Truly, a laugh-out-loud moment. Of course, Rosebud had absolutely nothing to fear from our vacuum. But her simple canine brain convinced her it was a deadly foe. Silly dog!
But then I wonder, how often do I allow my fears to overwhelm my faith? Social media, nightly news and nearby nay-sayers, can drive us scurrying under the bed like a dog running from a "killer vacuum." It’s easy for the terrors of the temporal to smother us with unfounded fears – all based on lies. II Timothy 1:7 states, “God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment." Think about the implications. Anytime I obsess on my fears, it's not from God. If God doesn't fill us with fear, then who does?
Of course we still experience fear, but when it rises up in us, it's vital to look to God. Like David. When he faced Goliath, David didn't talk about how dangerous Goliath was. He talked about how great God is. Let's not talk fear. Talk faith.
Rosebud's fears kept her in bondage. Imagine being enslaved to a vacuum cleaner! It’s easy to do. We live in anxiety-ridden, fear-filled times. The world is going crazy, paranoid over everything from pandemics to politics. These may be legitimate concerns, but let’s look to God for deliverance. Not what the world offers, whether it’s the CDC or the toilet paper aisle at Costco.
Next time we feel threatened, be it the coronavirus, a meeting with our boss, an unpaid bill or our kid’s report card, think of Rosebud and laugh out loud. Remember God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power. He lives in us, and we have nothing, absolutely nothing, to fear.
Principle: When we experience fear, look to God.
Promise: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power”
Ponder:
What unwarranted, “vacuum-cleaner” fears trouble me?
When I feel attacked with fear, how can I look to God for deliverance?
Prayer: “Almighty God, I praise you, for you possess all power. Remind me of that truth when I feel fear rising up within me.”
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study I Samuel 17.
Perceptions: Record any ideas God puts on your heart from today’s devotional through art, poetry, a memory, etc.