FEAR NOT!

We have so many reasons to live anxious and be in fear. We watch the news and hear about violence, accidents, threats and many other happenings around us. Apart from these cases, there are fears of the future and fears of the unknown that can strike panic and uncertainty.  The scripture says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

This is a statement of faith, “Yes, darkness may come, but I’m not going to give in to fear. There may be trouble all around me, the opposition may be bigger, the sickness may be stronger, and the adversity may be greater, but “I refuse to fear”. I’m not saying that we won’t feel fear… because fear is a human emotion. I’m saying, don’t let that spirit of fear take over you where you shrink back, and you quit living, you quit going after your dreams, you quit enjoying your family. You are too worried, on the edge of what might happen next. What could go wrong? That’s a spirit of fear, trying to keep you from your destiny and the joy God has given you.

The scripture says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)  The first thing God gave us to combat fear is the spirit of power. When it comes to fear, you have to be bold, the all-powerful God says “Fear not”. You are in the palm of His hands, nothing can snatch you away. If it’s not your time to go, all the forces of darkness cannot take you out. No person, no accident, no sickness, no calamity can take you out either!

When Satan wanted to test Job, he said, “God, I can’t do it because you put a hedge around him that I can’t penetrate” (Job 1:9-10). You are not at the mercy of fate, “I hope I don’t get harmed, it’s dangerous. I hope I don’t have an accident”. God has a hedge around you. I’m not saying evil may never happen, because God doesn’t stop everything, if He allows it, He will give you the strength to go through it and work it out for your good! The plan of the enemy didn’t take you out because God pushed back the power of darkness.

How many times has God protected you that you didn’t even know about? He stopped that car that should have hit you, stopped that person that wanted to harm you, stopped the trouble before it got to you. You never knew anything about it, but His hand of favour, protection and mercy was watching over you, keeping you from harm’s way. And sure, we can all find a reason to live worried, and afraid, but when you understand who is watching over you, who is ordering your steps, who is fighting your battles, who is holding back the power of darkness, then you can say with confidence, “I refuse to fear!”

The scripture says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord…” Psalm 27:1-6

Meditate on God’s word that addresses fear and switch your mind from anything that amplifies fear. Just like the remote control of your TV, if you don’t like the program, you can change the channel. It’s the same thing in your mind: when the wrong picture starts playing, you have the remote, so why not change the channel? When fear comes, switch over to faith. When negative memories come up, wanting to remind you of all the heartache and disappointment, change the channel. Keep the right picture playing in your mind. Even if you see dangers around you or threats from the wolves of this world, keep your focus on God almighty who is right there with you!

SHEEP AMONG WOLVES!

Jesus says “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16) significantly, a sheep has no way to protect itself. Sheep are one of the most helpless animals when it comes to defence. They can’t run fast, they can’t hide, they can’t bite, they don’t roar and at least they don’t threaten their opponent. Seems like it would been better if God had said, “I’m sending you out as a lion, we could defend ourselves without Him. As an elephant, we would have size. The reason God used sheep was because sheep are peaceful, they don’t worry about their enemies. They rely solely on their shepherd for protection.  

Who knew sheep and the role of a shepherd better than King David… As a shepherd, He was with the sheep day and night. There were times he killed a lion and bear that were trying to harm the sheep. This is the inspiration he received; “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Psalm 23

When you are tempted to be anxious, live afraid or worried; you need to remind yourself, “The Lord is my shepherd”. The God who shut the mouths of lions for Daniel, the God who brought three Hebrew teenagers out of a fiery furnace without the smell of smoke, the God who opened prison doors for Paul and Silas, the God who made Elisha invisible to the enemy, the Lord your shepherd is watching over you. Sometimes we may feel alone, like we are at the mercy of what is around us; people with wrong intentions, threats, opposition, and trouble at work. But what you may not realize is that you have a God who has His eyes on you. 

The reason sometimes we get worried and afraid is that we are trying to be the shepherd, when in fact we are sheep. We are trying to do what only God can do. Yes, use wisdom… of course and common sense but some things are out of our control. You have to know what your role is, and what God’s role is. The scripture says “If you will dwell in the secret place of the Most High, you will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1-4)

The shepherd knows there will be things that are too much for us, too powerful, too strong. The sickness, the opposition, the threat. On our own, we are not able to overcome. That is when the shepherd steps in.  When evil comes, the shepherd shows up. When trouble catches you off guard, that’s okay, the shepherd is looking out for you. You can live in peace, you can stay at rest, you don’t have to do all this on your own. The all-powerful Creator of the universe is closely watching you, standing by to guard and protect you.

Isaiah 54:17 says “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. God didn’t say we wouldn’t have anything come against us, you stay in faith, you will never have challenges, sickness or opposition. No, they may come, but the promise is that they are not going to prosper. God has you hidden. It says in  Psalms 5:12; that God’s favour surrounds you like a shield. Sometimes it feels like we are surrounded by challenges, surrounded by evil, surrounded by sickness but the scripture says you are surrounded by a shield of God’s favour. 

Now, do your part, and come back to a place of peace. Quit living worried and afraid. Quiet and calm your soul, the Lord is your shepherd… (Psalm 23). He didn’t bring you this far to leave you. Keep walking in His promises, trusting and believing that your Rehoboth is right up in front of you. Surely, you are going to see beauty for ashes, surely your children shall be mighty in the land and your health is turning around for good in Jesus’ name

God is saying to us in (Isaiah 41:10), “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and withhold you with my victorious right hand”. Come on, let’s keep moving forward, our greatest days are still in front of us. Let me tell you: whatever setback you have gone through is setting you up to go further, to shine brighter, to see the fullness of your destinies. The enemy did his best, but his best was not enough. We are still standing, victors and never victims… So beloved, fear not! The word of God says fear not!!!

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’