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There was an interesting article in the USA Today recently that talked about society's current obsession with fear. It seems, since September 11 or maybe because of it, we have grown increasingly more anxious about such threats as terrorism attacks, health pandemics, and environmental disasters (like the recent oil spill). The author of a new book Be Very Afraid makes the argument that "our method of coping is to make an idol out of any activity, agency or technology that will promise us security." Robert Wuthnow wrote the book and is a sociologist. Columnist Henry Brinton notes that "we worship the god of security." It has become a false idol for us because of the feeling of constant threats. Brinton says, "One of the goals of religious faith is to fashion a life that is not consumed by fear of death. This can be done by looking for eternal value in each day on earth, eternal salvation in heaven, or some combination of the two. But these approaches are difficult to sustain in our advanced liberal society." It reminds of the stories in the Old Testament that I have been reading lately as part of a Bible study group. The message in the Pentateuch is that the people of Israel failed to trust God. Over and over again, God tests his people to determine if they have learned to place their trust in their Father yet they disappoint Him numerous times. When Moses and Aaron lead Israel out of Egypt into the desert, they begin to grumble that they are thirsty. God provides Israel with water and admonishes them saying, "If you really listen to the voice of the Lord, your God, he told them, and do what is right in His eyes: if you heed His commandments and keep all His precepts, I will not afflict you with any of the diseases with which I afflicted the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer." (Exodus 15:26). God proves his reliance innumerable times but the people still doubt. We are perpetuating the same circle of doubt when we fear the world. Our faith in the Lord should overwhelm any fear we have about worldly threats. Does that mean that we should not be careful or smart? Of course not but we should not fear what we cannot control. The Lord is our protector in all matters. Can we not learn from our history? Are we going to make the same mistakes that they did? As Christians we are called to be difference makers in the world. We are called to lead all people to Jesus Christ. Are we going to let our fear conquer us? I challenge you to assume the mantel of Moses and lead God's people to his word and salvation.

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