I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Ps. 91:2)
John Wesley could not believe his ears. As he fearfully clung to a ship beam, a group of passengers calmly sang praises to God. The storm raged, the sail tore, and water poured in over them, yet the Moravian immigrants remained peaceful! Perplexed, Wesley later asked a Moravian if he had been afraid. Thanking the Lord, the man replied that not even their women and children were afraid to die.
Psalm 91 does not paint a picture of someone who never sees hardship or danger. Rather, it describes those who, despite imminent trouble, rest in God, because they know their eternity is secure. Even though Wesley was a missionary, he did not trust God like the Moravians did! Through further Bible studies, Moravian Christians taught Wesley that faith in Jesus Christ causes one not to fear. Eventually, Wesley realized that he had been relying on his own efforts, instead of Jesus, to save himself. Once Wesley received God’s free gift of faith, he felt his heart strangely warmed. He received God’s joy and peace—a peace that reigns even when life rages, a peace that transcends all understanding.
Have you received God’s free gift of faith? If so, have you said goodbye to fear? Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Say goodbye to fear by fixing your eyes on eternity with God.
Tamar Eisenmann and her husband are Wesleyan pastors from Jackson, Michigan. She is a Wesley Seminary doctoral student and a fan of Transformers, her kids, and Jesus.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
