Probably not since World War II has the American people experienced a foreboding and fear like we are now facing. My guess is that if you really want to see the reality of that statement you need look no further than our intelligence community, Homeland Security and the various law enforcement agencies that are tasked to protect our citizens from the now worldwide terrorist insurgence that seems to be growing by the minute. However, we cannot police the world. To say that the barbarians are at the gates is likely more true than most of us fully realize. Add to this the constant threat of high tech terrorism via international and homegrown computer hackers who are becoming more and more sophisticated (evidenced by their recent ability to compromise the computer systems of at least one hundred banks around the world thereby stealing well over a billion dollars) and you realize that we have reason to be profoundly concerned. The average American understandably reacts with anxiety and even dread. If the multiplying threats are not somehow stopped, the emotional response could even reach a state of panic as is already the case in much of the Middle East. But knowing that God has not given His people a “spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control (or “a sound mind” - 2 Timothy 1:7), my question is this: “How should a disciple of Jesus respond to the frightening world in which we now live?” How are you or will you respond as things go from bad to worse as seems likely? Even more importantly, as a Christian, how would the Lord of your life have you to respond? Jim Dennison has an insightful blog site called “The Dennison Forum” to which I subscribe. Recently he addressed the very issue that I have mentioned above. His review of what has happened in the world of ISIS and the Christian’s response is very helpful so allow me to share with you what he has written. I think you will find his comments both enlightening and helpful. On Feb. 17, Dr. Dennison wrote the following: “A video released Sunday [Feb. 15] by Islamic State militants in Libya depicts 21 men in orange jumpsuits. All are Egyptian Christian hostages. They are laid face-down and beheaded. The terrorists who committed this heinous act of cowardly barbarism call themselves the Tripoli Province of the Islamic State. They are located less than 500 miles from the southern tip of Italy. One of them stated that the group now plans to ‘conquer Rome.’” According to American intelligence officials, ISIS is establishing military affiliates in Afghanistan, Algeria, and Egypt as well as Libya. Extremists are also pledging loyalty to the Islamic State in Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Yemen. Last week, the Obama administration acknowledged the group's expanding threat when it requested new congressional authority to pursue them wherever they emerge, not just in Iraq and Syria. ISIS is advancing beyond al-Qaeda to become a global menace before our eyes. According to The New York Times, three factors explain its meteoric rise. One: it declared the formation of a caliphate in June 2014. As I have noted previously, we cannot overstate the significance of this declaration for some in the Muslim world. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, is viewed by his followers as the ‘caliph,’ the leader of the global Muslim movement and heir to the Prophet Muhammad. Two: ISIS is using al-Qaeda's franchise structure to expand, but without the group's rigorous, multiyear application process. As a result, its franchises are growing faster, easier, and farther. Three: as one analyst notes, many in the Muslim world view ISIS as the ‘winning group.’ Their highly sophisticated social media and marketing strategies, coupled with expansive financial resources derived from territories they have conquered, position them on a global stage. Now we are facing the specter of a fast-growing network which appeals to terrorists around the world. Amedy Coulibaly, one of the gunmen in the recent Paris attacks, declared allegiance to the group. ‘Home-grown terrorists,’ long seen as the greatest internal threat in the West, may become a fact of life.” At this point Dr. Dennison responds to my question of how we, as disciples of Christ, should respond to this new world order that we are living in. He goes on to say, “None of this surprises our Lord. The psalmist declared that ‘God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne’ (Psalm 47:8). Note the present tense. No matter our circumstances, God is Lord over them. As our government and military gear up for a global war with ISIS, Christians must pray for their protection and for a great spiritual awakening across the Muslim world. Paul was converted from terrorist to apostle; what would happen if Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi came to Christ? The beheading of Christians in Libya reminds us that we live on a fallen, Satan-controlled planet (2 Corinthians 4:4). But our Father calls us to follow him with courage, knowing that he will provide wherever his providence leads. As Oswald Chambers noted, “God does not give us overcoming life—he gives us life as we overcome.” When the Christians beheaded by ISIS were given the chance to recant their faith, they refused. What price will you pay for following Jesus today? That is the question we followers of Jesus are facing as never before in my lifetime. We have a rapidly degenerating culture within our borders with precious few leaders exhibiting the godly wisdom necessary for such a time as this. We seem to have a foreign policy that resembles confusion and folly more than a cogent and consistent course with a clear end-game. We have threats of all sorts and origins coming at us faster than we can snuff them out. And now we have the emergence of a fast-growing terrorist network that defies description in its brutality and barbarism. How should we respond? Just as true believers have done throughout the history of the church. We trust in our sovereign God who does all things well. We certainly pray and we believe what He has told us in His Word. We fear or reverence only our Triune God and not man. We cling to our Lord’s never failing promises such as Matthew 10:28, And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Luke 12:5-9, But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. 8And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Whatever happens in the months and years before us, know that your God has not abdicated His throne and will accomplish all of His good purposes. In His providence He has this incredible way of turning what man means for evil into good. The crucifixion of our Savior is all the proof you need. Work hard and sleep well for your heavenly Father captains the ship of your life and this world. He is not worried for He does all things for His glory and the good of His people. Praise His holy name!