Star Light, Not Wisdom

This is a series of devotions and meditations on scripture that reject fear in any form. Fear is seen as a spiritual force and a weapon used by Satan to keep people down. The focus is on championing faith as an allegiance to God and relying on His perfect love to cast out fear. The warning against signs of the sky, such as astrology, is explained as a rebellion against God's divine wisdom and an attempt to replace it with natural sources. The importance of not following worldly patterns, including religion, philosophy, and science, is emphasized. Trusting in the Lord and not man-made systems is encouraged, as the Lord will provide for all needs. The examples of how the Lord has provided in the past are given to reassure against fear. Welcome to Fear No Fear. Grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit embrace you today. This is a series of devotions and meditations on scripture. We reject fear in any and all forms. Fear is a spiritual force, the currency of darkness and ignorance. It's what we inherited when Adam gave up his faith and Satan uses it to keep people down. His only weapon is words. If he can get you believing or looking at words of fear, he's got you. Instead, we champion faith as an allegiance to God, as a belief and trust and loyalty to the Lord God Almighty. We accept the evidence of his word as unvarnished truth, as is, just as it's written. We get close to his perfect love through the word, and perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4.18 All scripture is taken from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Visit eBible.org Jeremiah 10.2 The Lord says, Don't learn the way of the nations, and don't be dismayed at the signs of the sky, for the nations are dismayed at them. There are a few ways of looking at this verse. For example, it can be a face value warning against divination from the stars. It can be a warning about philosophies, religions, or schools of thought. It can be an exhortation to refocus on the Lord. There is little, if anything, in the word that is only one thing for only one time, because the word is living and active. Like in any relationship, the more time we spend developing it, the deeper and more meaningful it gets. The more connections we see, the more we notice, the more we develop, and the more of the Lord that is revealed to us. So why a warning against the signs of the sky, especially when those around us are looking at them and seem to be doing fine? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, astrology is a method of predicting mundane events based on the assumption that the celestial bodies, particularly the planets and the stars, considered in their arbitrary combinations or configurations, in some way determine or indicate changes in the sub-lunar world. The original purpose of astrology being to inform the individual of the course of a person's life on the basis of the positions of the planets and of the zodiacal signs at the moment of their birth or conception. This is a looking to the stars and planets for wisdom, for guidance, for the things that we are to look to the Lord for. So this is a rebellion against the Lord, as it is replacing the divine with the natural. It was so serious that the Lord had Israel treated like a cancer, like a mortal disease which would poison and eventually kill the whole nation, something to be irradiated, cut out, and eliminated by every means available for the good of the people. If there is found amongst you, within any of your gates, which the Lord your God gives you, a man or a woman who does that which is evil in the Lord your God's sight, in transgressing His covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshipped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the stars in the sky, which I have not commanded, and you are told, and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Israel, then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to your gates, even that same man or woman, and you shall stone them to death with stones. Deuteronomy 17, 2-5 It was placed in the same category as those who sacrificed their children by burning them alive, sorceries, enchanters, fortune tellers, charmers, those who deal with familiar spirits, wizards, and necromancers. This is rebellion at a very basic level, rejecting God in place of any and every thing. The Lord created the stars and constellations. He hung them there for us to enjoy, both as a light source and as a practical guide. Navigation by stars, the setting of calendars, and planting harvest dates, none of this supplants Yahweh God or His wisdom. But astrology, it does just that, guiding your life by the stars instead of the Word, worshiping a created thing instead of the Creator. We've all seen horoscopes all our lives. They're all fear-based. There's a ton of worry people have about what star is in what place, because then they can't do this or that, because it would be a disaster. They use their words, of which everyone is a seed, Proverbs 18, 20-21, and bring about disaster and positivity, and then thank or curse the stars because of it. It's a weak shadow of the truth of where we should be looking for wisdom and guidance. Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12, 1-2 These verses fall in line with today's from Jeremiah. Don't fall into the patterns of this world, whether religion, philosophy, or school of thought. That doesn't mean the thing itself is evil. Take science. It isn't evil. It's an investigation of the natural world around us with the utmost of human thought and ingenuity. The problem is, that's a terrible way to order your life. Why? Because it's only as good as humanity is. It's only as wise as we are. It has some great value, and I would certainly advise anyone to keep it in mind, but I'm not going to give it the final word, and I wouldn't suggest that you do either. I'm not going to set my sights on anything lower than the most high. What is the advantage of not following or ordering your life after these things? You're not subject to their fears. Why would you want to chicken-little it? Think of the opportunities for fear that you were opening yourself up to. I live in a region of the world in which very, very, very large earthquakes are a cyclical event. Every few hundred years, a big one hits. Science tells us that. There are reasons for it. And we have warnings and predictions that change as the science and the data change. To ignore all that would be foolish. But to fear it? That would also be foolish. I can prepare, have an emergency plan in place, have supplies laid away and regularly rotated, and I can be as ready as I can be. That's what science is for. But I have total peace about the possibility, even as every decade brings us closer to a potential event. Why? Because the Lord has me. He is my fortress and my high place. Habakkuk 3.19 I won't fear destruction because I've made the Lord my shelter. I know He will send angels to protect me. Psalm 91 I know He'll speak to me and guide me. This isn't blind following. This isn't ignoring the evidence of my eyes and learned people in their various fields. God gave them their intellectual gifts. God gave humanity an innate curiosity. Why would I turn my back on the facts and figures that again and again confirm what the Word says to us? It's only that I'm not letting them have the last word. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your deeds to the Lord and your plans shall succeed. Proverbs 16.1-3 Men think a lot of different things. From science to philosophy, and each and every one are good and worthy in the eyes of those who made them. But man-made religion and man-made deities and man-made philosophies and man-made crises don't move me. I trust the Lord. He's trustworthy, and I place my thoughts on Him. But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 2 Timothy 3.14 When the world panics about toilet paper, I am unconcerned. When the world arbitrarily raises oil prices, I am unconcerned. When the world uses supply chain issues to raise grocery prices, I am unconcerned. Not because I'm rich. Not because I've hoarded these things and sit in a stockpile. No, I am unconcerned because I am not looking to the systems of man to save me. I am not looking for reasonable prices from the merchants of this world or stability from the financial sector. We have our systems and processes and cultures and they're all fine and dandy, but they're man-made and therefore not trustworthy. Look at it like this. Money is an arbitrary value. We say it has worth because we say it has worth. So why raise prices? The things the value was based on haven't changed. An egg still has an egg. Oil is still oil. Wheat is still wheat. It doesn't take more to have these things. Not really. But the system we have set up fluctuates and changes and values rise and fall for a myriad of reasons. They're all interconnected. Now, while we could just set prices at a given value or have a system of barter or have an exchange based on needs, we don't. We have a different system. And it will rise and it will fall and it affects us all as it does. So why would I put my faith in something artificial that we have made up? The Lord is my shepherd and I believe Psalm 23. He will ensure I do not want for any need. Does this mean I'll have the latest gaming console, vehicle, high-priced foods and dwelling? No. It doesn't mean that I won't, but it doesn't matter if I don't. I'll have food to feed myself and my family. I will have a vehicle and a way to operate it. I will have ways to entertain myself and those around me. My needs will be met. So why would I worry about toilet paper or food? The Lord used a few loaves and a couple of fish to feed thousands. Matthew 14. The Lord used a little oil and flour to feed a family for up to three years. 1 Kings 17-18. In that instance, the Lord even used ravens to deliver food to Elijah for a time. The Lord has more ways to get things to me than I have imagination for. Why would I want to fear? Now you can say that you don't want to fear. You can say that I don't understand these things. But the reality is that every man-made system from cash to consolations is fear-based. There's always an element of lack. Do this so you won't run out. Invest here so your money grows and then you won't be stuck without any. Do this because Star Baby 6 is in alignment with Pluto and there's some retrograde preventing you from succeeding in childcare this month. Say yes, I'm being silly. Now those who follow these systems take them very seriously and I am not mocking them. But I don't hold the systems themselves in respect, even those like the financial system or capitalist system that I participate in due to where I live. The great thing about not putting my mental or spiritual efforts into these systems is that when there's a panic of any kind, I don't have to participate. You can enjoy your run on the bank, your lines around the block, and your worries about what actions are favorable or what moods are a little bit swingy right now. I'm going to rely on the Lord and rest in His peace. The other side of this coin is just that, resting in the Lord. The implication is that instead of relying on the world's systems and beliefs, we can rely on the Lord God Almighty. If His ways are above our ways, Isaiah 55, 8-9, then He has a better view on what's going on. He can see the patterns. He knows what's coming. He can tell me what I need to do to prepare, John 14, 26. If I listen, His words will be there. Words I can trust in, rely on. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, I give to you. Don't let your heart be troubled. Neither let it be fearful. John 14, 27. I will focus on the Lord so that I do not pick up fear or worry or troubled thoughts. It's my choice. I can put Him first, or I can put anything else first. It's a choice. This is true of anything, not just systems of thought. If we decide that we should do what the world says we should, our relationship with the Lord will suffer. Work, come home, watch the latest programming, relax because you deserve it. Where's the Lord in that? Does it mean we should always be working or always be studying the Word? No. But what does the Lord want of you? He knows best. Only good things come from heaven. Only good things come from our good God. He knows when you need rest. He knows what entertainment is the best for you by content and also by your preference. He also knows what's coming. He knows when you need to be charged up for you and when you need to be charged up to weather the storm. He knows when He wants to talk to you. Do you? Can you? No. So put Him first and let Him guide you. This isn't domination. This isn't subjugation. This is choice. This is service. This is love. We submit because we want to please Him and only faith pleases Him. Job 22.21 Galatians 2.20 and Hebrews 11.6 It is a principle that has been around since the fall. I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head and bruise his heel. Genesis 3.15 Satan brings these things against us. He helps us develop these stares for our flesh and our minds. But we are not subject to him. We are subject to Jesus by choice. As long as we believers are putting the Lord first and walking in faith in Jesus, abiding in Him, we will prevail over the tempter and smash it. But if we ignore the Lord, replace the Lord and do not follow the ways of the Lord, then the tempter will bite us and torment us because we have become like heels and not like the heads we were called to be. Because Jesus is the head. Ephesians 1.22 And we are to abide in Him. John 15 James puts it like this in James 4.7-10 Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will exalt you. We are not subject to this world unless we let this world take the place of the Lord. We do not have to follow it. We do not have to fear what it fears. We can put our trust in the Lord. We can live out lives according to what He says, how He says, and let God worry about the details. We can take the advice of the world but filter it through the Lord. He will tell us what is good and what is chaff. Jesus will never steer you wrong. The Father will never let you experience lack. Not if you are focused on Him for all of your everything. He will provide. He will sustain. And we will prosper as our souls prosper. We will reap what we sow. We will experience all the Father has for us if we lay down all that we have at His feet. It isn't about possessions, entertainments, or types of food. It's about brokenness before the Lord. It's about a satisfaction in what He gives us that nothing else can match. It is about submitting to His will always in everything. That and only that can give you life abundantly. John 10.10 Submit to the Lord and watch the rest of it flee from you. Our daily affirmation of God's love is John 10.27-30 Do you remember Rockbiter from the never-ending story? So sad because his hands failed him. They look like big strong hands, don't they? I always thought that's what they were. When the nothing came, those hands were not strong enough to keep his friends safe. Well, Jesus has hands. Creator of the universe hands. We are in them. The hands that were broken for us. The ones that bled for us. Died for us. Resurrected to life again for us. They hold us. Carefully, but firmly. Nothing can take us from His hands. No one can snatch us away. As long as we don't walk off those palms, we are good. Rain may fall on us. Cold and heat may come at us. But there we will be. Safe, secure, in His hands. It's a great place to be. It's the only place to be. The death grip of a baby is nothing on the grip Jesus has. In those hands we have eternal life. We follow Him and we will not perish. Not just because of Jesus, but because His Father gave us to Him, and the Father is greater than all. All. That covers everything and everyone, from the kid who took your seat on the bus, to the old lady who took so long in line you were late, to the teacher who despises you, to the job that bores you, to the bills who demand to be paid. There are no worries that He doesn't shelter you from. There are no dangers that you are not protected from. Your spirits are there, in His hands, living their eternal life. Not waiting for something to start someday, but living it now, here, as we speak. Eternal life is us knowing the Father and the Son, John 17, 3. An intimate relationship of trust and mutual love. We have it now. We will have it later. It is ours and we are His. That is a beautiful picture, isn't it? You're in it. Right there, in His hand, being loved. As we close, remember that you have birth. You are precious and valuable. Declare this. Today, God loves that I, Now you fill in the blank. Was it a meal you made? A smile you gave? Did you get out of bed? Read? Put on socks? There's no wrong answers here. There is no end to God's love and no end to the things about you that He loves each and every day. Pick one. Remember, the Lord loves you just because you're you. 1 John 4, 9-10 tells us, By this, God's love was revealed in us that God has sent His only-born Son into the world that we might live through Him. And this is love. Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. His perfect love turned away God's wrath because of sin. And it casts out our fear, too. See verses 18 and 19. We love because He first loved us. He just loves us. He can't get enough of us. And that is wonderful. See you next time.