This Is the Pilot Speaking

# 184 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:16, “Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there. ( 1 Sam 14:16) The panic of the Philistines set off by Jonathan's slaughter of the twenty is clearly observable from Saul's outposts. Melting away with fear the people run to and fro in a classic case of crowd bedlam. If you've ever been caught up in this type of a situation you know how quickly it can turn ugly. We see milder forms of this kind of savage crowd behavior in America on Black Friday as people frantically try to get a bargain and sadly there have been incidents at rock concerts, soccer games, and pilgrimages where many have been literally trampled to death. Panic and anxiety need to be caught early and dealt with or they can escalate to dangerous levels. That's why you'll hear the pilot speak with an incredibly calm voice over the intercom when the plane is experiencing some turbulence. He desires to soothe everyone, lest some unhealthy anxiety breaks out. Same thing with unruly crowds, someone will often grab a bullhorn or a microphone and try to calm everyone down before bedlam breaks loose. Even in our own personal lives anxiety and panic can get out of hand and cause us to act in foolish and dangerous ways. No wonder the psalmist says, “Do not fret....it only causes harm.” Ps 37:8) It's times like these that we need to hear the incredibly calm voice of our Pilot, the Holy Spirit who says in De 31:8 "And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." Anxiety doesn't care whether you're a Christian or not, it comes to all of us. God knows this and His Word is filled with consolation for those who struggle with fear. Get into His Word, turn on the microphone and let the Pilot speak peace to you in the midst of your turbulence.