Message summary: Today we want to encourage each reader, especially those of you who are facing a panicky situation as you read this. May the Lord give you a deep and abiding assurance of His steadfast love and care as you continue to walk in faith. Tuck this faith verse in your heart's pocket and carry it with you at all times. "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Indeed God is in control!

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"Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days" (John 11:6). "'Lord,' Martha said to Jesus, 'if you had been here, my brother would not have died'" (John 11:21).

Warren and Juanita were friends of my folks going back to the 1940's when they met as young married couples in a church in Oak Grove, Missouri. (The photo to the left was taken about 20 years ago). Brooksyne and I visited them as an elderly couple in their home in northwest Arkansas and we noticed a thought-provoking plaque in Juanita's kitchen that read, "God is never in a panic". That statement has stayed with us over the years.

For those who may deal with panic from time to time there are a number of issues that could precede our panic mode, such as the spiritual and moral decline of our country, what's in store for our country's future, the reckless instability of a loved one, the possibility of a lay-off at work, awaiting the results of a critical medical test or a spouse's threat to walk out.

"God is never in a panic". As we consider the character of God revealed in the Scriptures this statement is most certainly true. How reassuring to those of us who have felt the effects of clinching fear that result from panic. Panic is essentially an intense and immediate anxiety. Professionals now refer to such anxiety ridden emotions as a panic attack though they have been a part of the human experience from the beginning.

I, Stephen, can recall several specific experiences of panic in my life and I know there have been many others that escape my memory. Ironically one of my earliest memories of panic was related to my family's visits to Warren and Juanita's home in the early 60's.

Warren was a big game hunter and he brought home a big bear one year. They had the bear skin/fur made into a rug with the head still attached and laid it over their carpet. As you walked into the room it seemed as if the bear's eyes followed you no matter where you walked or sat. Visits to their home made me fearful and panic-stricken. If I am not mistaken, after they saw the fearful effect the bear had on me, they rolled up the rug and put it in a closet when we came for our visits!

We are sure many of you have had similar memories and experiences as well. For some panic is an ongoing, burdensome struggle.

John 11 records the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus, who along with his sisters, Mary and Martha, were friends with the Lord who had often fellowshipped in their home. The entire account is in verses 11:1-44.

We just selected two verses from the account. The first shows Christ's response to the critical need. "Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days". That's sure not what we would expect or desire. If I called up my pastor about a critical need that needed immediate attention I sure wouldn't want him to delay two days.

We wonder why didn't Jesus rush right over to the home of Lazarus? Characteristically though, He shows no evidence of panic. In God's preappointed time He would take care of the matter just as He purposed all along.

The second verse indicates Martha's perspective, which is so similar to the way we react in regard to God's mysterious ways. "'Lord,' Martha said to Jesus, 'if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'" If the Lord would have just listened to her and acted according to her immediate expectations everything would be alright was surely her reasoning.

But God doesn't always act according to our expectations and that's a critical test of faith, particularly when we face an occasion of panic. He is always in absolute control even when the situation we face seems contrary to that truth.

Today we want to encourage each reader, especially those of you who are facing a panicky situation as you read this. May the Lord give you a deep and abiding assurance of His steadfast love and care as you continue to walk in faith. Tuck this faith verse in your heart's pocket and carry it with you at all times. "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Indeed God is never in a panic, God is always in control!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13