Tag: fear

God’s Lessons are Eternally True

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Isaiah Chapters 1-35 are filled with chastisement from God over the sinfulness of Judah and the surrounding nations. In addition to warnings from God there are multiple prophesies about the coming Savior, Messiah, and reasons from God as to why the people should have Hope in Him, the Holy One of Israel. Chapters 36-39 provide an interlude and present us with current happenings in the life of Isaiah the prophet and the job God called him to do it is Isaiah in action so to speak. I love the story in Chapter 36 and 37 which focuses on King Hezekiah and the impending attack by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. The story can also be found in 2 Kings 18 and 19.

The commander of the Assyrian army came to Jerusalem and delivered a message to King Hezekiah and his people. They spoke in the common language of the people so that all the citizens would be terrified and want King Hezekiah to succumb to their demands. The commander said it was futile to resist as the Assyrian army had not been beaten and had defeated all the neighboring countries. The Assyrian commander claimed they could not depend upon their God to rescue them. Isaiah 36:18 “Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The Lord will deliver us.’ Have the gods of any nations ever delivered their lands from the hand of the king of Assyria? Eliakim, the palace administrator, returned to relay the message to King Hezekiah. When King Hezekiah heard the message, he tore his clothes in mourning and asked them to find Isaiah the prophet.

Isaiah 37:5-7 When King Hezekiah’s officials came to Isaiah, 6 Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.’”

What lessons was God teaching them, and us too, in this situation? Here are a few I gleaned from this passage and God’s reply through Isaiah.

  • When you hear disparaging news, you need to give it to God as He does not want us to be fearful. He wants us to be confident in His ability to overcome obstacles in our life’s pathway. Turn to Him and do not succumb to your fears.
  • God has a plan for victory. Here, He shared it with King Hezekiah to help relieve his distress. God’s Words will soothe, comfort and assure us of God’s might and sovereignty.
  • God will fight our enemies and assures us that they will be dealt with as He deems appropriate.
  • God will defend His name for His name’s sake.
  • Faith in God’s ability, might, sovereignty and power will help us overcome our fear and trust in Him.

Where are you facing difficult circumstances that are threatening to overcome you? Take a lesson from King Hezekiah and ask God to intervene, trust in His response and let God deal with it. Know that God has a plan! All things work for believers for our good and His glory. Claim Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” All believers belong to Him and He is working for our good. We have to trust Him to work all things out.

God promises to fight for us, I claim Isaiah 49:25b “I will contend with those who contend with you,
    and your children I will save.” God has our back. Isaiah 49:16 “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

God has us surrounded and protected. Rest in John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

The Lord’s name is precious and He will defend His own name and His honor. Psalm 109:21 “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.”

Jesus himself reminded us to have faith. Mark 11:22-23 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”

Which situation speaks to you today? Life is a constant battle but take heart Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Linda

Peace, essential footwear for the Believer

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After putting on the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness the believer needs to tend to their footwear.  Usually the picture of messengers is one running with bare feet.  Here the soldier, ready for all terrain conditions,  has his feet covered and Ephesians 6 15protected.  But what kind of foot wear is Paul suggesting, spiritual footwear that only comes through the gospel’s good news = peace.   “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”  Ephesians 6:15

How does the peace given through the Good News of Jesus protect us?  Jesus promised through faith an other worldly peace that keeps away fear.  John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  His peace also gives us strength and blessing.  Psalm 29:11 “May the Lord give strength to his people!  May the Lord bless his people with peace!”   His peace acts as a guard against Satan’s attacks and keeps us from being anxious.  Philippians 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  The gospel message also brings peace through the assurance of salvation.  Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace,  who bring good tidings,  who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,  “Your God reigns!””  Lastly, His peace is brought to us through faith in an attitude of thanksgiving.  Colossians 3:17 colossians 3 17“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  This attitude of thankfulness allows God’s peace to rule in our lives.  Peace will guard and keep us  moving forward with confidence in God and His plan to give out the Good News of Jesus.

As you pray and think on God’s Word today, remember the peace that comes through Jesus confounds Satan and brings glory to God.  When have you experienced this other worldly peace that gave you strength, kept away your fears, assured you of your salvation, caused you to be thankful and gave you a mind that was calm and resting in Him?  It is this peace that all believers need to possess, grab hold of, hold close, as they witness and walk each day living for Jesus.  Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace filling my life as I strive to walk in witness to His truth.

Linda

Holy Week – on Monday Jesus cleansed the temple and cursed the fig tree.  He was  righteously angry at the greedy money changers that were keeping the Gentiles from worshiping and treating His house with disrespect.  Matthew 21:13 “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”  Jesus also cursed the fig tree which was fully leaved and yet had no figs.  This was a foreshadowing of the coming judgement on the nation of Israel for rejecting the truth of His coming.

Let it be heard! Blessings from Mary.

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I had the privilege of speaking Sunday morning at my church.  My topic was Mary’s story.  In my address, I give thoughts about Mary and what we can learn from her.  I do hope this is a blessing to you.  It was to me as I studied and let God organize my thoughts for this presentation.

Blessings from the First Sunday of Advent,

Linda