According to an old legend, many years ago when spies were taken captive by the Persian Army and brought in to be killed, the general did something strange.
He would give the spy an option. He could choose to face the firing squad, or he could choose to be subject to whatever was behind a big, black door.
The legend tells us that they always chose the firing squad. Why? Because our imaginations are very active, and sometimes torturous. Whatever was behind the door was surely more terrifying than the quick-death-bullets of the firing squad. Or so they thought.
What they did not know was that the big, black door simply led outside. It opened to freedom.
The general provided this rationale: “Almost everyone chooses death over the unknown.”
I recently came across that story. I don’t know where it came from. No source was given. And who knows if it’s true or not. But it got me thinking. Even if most of us are not facing an actual firing squad, how many of us can start to think that the unknown is worse than it is? How many of us make up things to worry about which aren’t even there? How many of us always assume that the worst is probably going to happen, even when there is no rational evidence that it will?
Consider just two passages about the bigness of God:
-“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:1-2)
-“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:1-2).
Yes, brothers and sisters, God is bigger. He is bigger than whatever we might have to fear. He is bigger than whatever might oppose us. He is bigger than all the uncertainty we can let fester between our ears.
If you struggle with the unknown, here’s something to repeat to yourself. “God is bigger… God is bigger… God is bigger.”
Uncertainty in your life might be bigger than you’d like, but it isn’t bigger than God.
Notes:
–This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Wherever you are, I encourage you to find a local congregation to worship, pray and learn about God.
–The Up Devotional is published five days a week (Monday-Friday) and resumes on April 3, 2023.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
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