"The Heart of God in You Too"

As I expressed before, part of the strength that comes in our suffering, is by knowing what the outcome will be. Jesus knew far more than we could know in His time of suffering, however He has also promised us that same peace and strength that comes from knowing, if we would just have faith in His promises. Did He promises that we would not have hurt or troubles? No; as a matter of fact, He told us that we would have them; because He had to suffer, we must suffer also; because the servant is not greater than the Master. However, our suffering will end in this world; which means that we will not even need to go close to the pit of hell, but go from life here, right to Life in His presence. Which brings me to the word 'fear' that Peter uses in his instruction to us about giving a reason for the hope that is in us. This word 'fear' we have looked at before, but like I said, this time it's about Love; previously we had glazed the surface of what this word means with regard to not having fear, but to stand strong. The word 'phobos' is also a noun, and is mostly used to express fear, terror, reverence, respect or honor. Because it is a noun, it has the property of an object and not of an emotion or a response; which can make a world of difference when it comes to understanding what this fear means, or how it should be viewed. It is viewed best as the object that inspires fear, more than the fear itself; but the fear is part and parcel of the object of fear, and is more of an amazement or astonishment in the overall picture. To understand better what it is that I am saying, and how this 'fear' relates to the Love of God, we could look again at our 'Suffering Servant' from Isaiah 53:8-11; which will show us the plan that was put before Him, and how the knowledge of this plan inspired not only a reverence, but a deep love for the purpose, which was more than enough to conquer any fear. "He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of My people was He stricken. And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My Righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities." Now, let me ask you a question: Do you know the outcome of the travail of your soul? And because you do, does it not inspire Love that is based upon the fear? (This requires some thought!)