Facing FearSample

GOD'S PROMISES ARE STRONGER THAN FEAR

Lazar, a church leader in Uzbekistan, reported, “Two days ago the police raided our house. They took away all the Bibles and Christian books that we had.” The roots of communism seem not to have withered yet. Uzbek Christians are balancing between fear of surveillance, intimidation, imprisonment and faith in God’s promises.

The penalty which Lazar may receive for possession of the “illegal books” he had in his house is a prison sentence of fifteen days or a hefty fine. Lazar commented, “The Pharisees persecuted Jesus, but He still went on with His work. The evening after the raid, I read Psalm 91. God is my refuge and my strength. I can hide in Him. I don’t want to allow myself to be governed by fear, because that doesn’t help you at all. After my arrest, one of the neighbors telephoned me. ‘Lazar,’ he said, ‘we’ve packed our things and we’re ready to leave for Moscow. Should we go?’”

Lazar can understand this, but he resolutely teaches his church members to take a different approach. “We must oppose people who are sowing fear. God’s promises are stronger,” he emphasizes. “We have difficulties, but we believe that God is with us and that His promises are stronger than fear.”

Still this fear may take a grip on you if you’re in the middle of a situation of direct persecution. A few days later Lazar suddenly said, “I’m leaving the city tonight. My lawyer has advised us to take a break. It may be the case that another raid is conducted on our home. We can’t cope with this now and so we’re leaving. Please pray for me and my family.”

In the space of a few days Lazar struggled with the horribly hard hand of the regime and with the values of his faith. He was balancing fear and faith. He prayed that the fear which the government was trying to sow would not take root in his heart.

A few weeks later, Lazar reported that he and his family were back at home. But the problems were not over. Legal proceedings had been taken against him and he was threatened with death by the authorities. He continues to stand strong in the face of severe opposition.

Today I will boldly affirm that God is with me and His promises are stronger than fear!