FEAR NOT

After Moses died, Joshua was preparing to lead the Israelites across the Jordan river; to fulfill God’s promise began 40 years earlier when Moses led them out of Egypt. It was all up to Joshua: cross the river or wander the rest of their lives in the desert. No doubt Joshua was more than a little afraid of his new responsibility. So God assured him, saying: "Be strong and courageous." (1 Joshua 6)

After God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, God then told Joshua, "Be strong and very courageous." (1 Joshua 7)

Finally God told Joshua once more, "Be strong and courageous," adding, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (1 Joshua 9)

Three times God repeated His encouragement to Joshua to be strong and courageous. God knows how much easier it is for us humans to be timid and fearful.

Throughout the Bible, whenever God sent his messengers, often the angel’s first words were: "Do not be afraid." Angels know that as wonderful and lovely as they are, seeing one show up can turn us humans into screaming scaredy pants. Angels, too, know that fear is a natural part of our lives.

Paul, however, reminded us that …

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

The point about courage is not that you have no fear. The point about courage is that you do what is necessary in the face of fear. You do it even though you are afraid.

In Philippians 4:13, Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Paul isn’t saying he’s strong just because he’s a believer. Rather, Paul means he can do all things because the Spirit of God empowers him. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Paul now has the Holy Spirit. It is God’s Spirit who makes Paul strong.

And this Spirit of God that made Paul strong? It’s in each believer, living, waiting, available to strengthen us, too.

Our spirit of weakness, timidity and incapacity does not come from God. What comes from God is a spirit of power, love and self-discipline because it is God’s own Spirit; His Holy Spirit, living in us.

Every time we remind ourselves that God’s strong and courageous Spirit is in us, and step out in faith, we experience the courageous power of God in us and become stronger and more courageous, both for now and for the next time we are faced with the choice of fear or courage. It usually begins with the small stuff—not angelic visitors; not leading a million people into a promised land; not birthing a famous baptist minister like John. Sometimes it simply begins with an attitude of submission to God’s will and a trust that He is in charge of everything—for our good.

Each time we shut our ears to fear and open our hearts to the power of God’s Spirit, we let courage expand and become a more natural part of who we are and especially—who we are in Christ.

If an angel ever comes to visit me, I hope he says, "Fear not. Be strong and courageous, because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you."


NOTE: This is a reposting from www.WeUsed2BU.com where our theme for August was "fear."

MANNA IN THE MORNING

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna…to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3) 

Each morning, I drag my feet toward the coffee pot, wishing I’d bought one with the automatic timer. But once I’ve got steamy cup in hand, it’s time for coffee with Jesus. Not coffee and croissant, donut or bran muffin. Coffee and manna.

Nothing was ever good enough for the Jews wandering the desert with Moses. But God loved them anyway—the patient provider of all their needs. The divine manna God sent each morning was only good for the day intended. No sense packing it away for tomorrow. God wanted them trusting Him daily. 

Scripture, like manna, provides divine nourishment. It feeds our minds, renews our hearts and refreshes our souls. It prepares us for whatever God has planned today. Unlike manna, scripture never “goes bad.” Still—like hot bread from the oven—it’s better fresh each day. 

Coffee with Jesus. Reading God’s Word. Communing in prayer. Opening to the possibilities of what He has planned. God’s Word is always fresh; always nourishing. Always the best way to start the day. 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for being our provider for our physical and our spiritual needs. Holy Spirit, attune our hearts to your leading and help us, Jesus, follow your example. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? When is your favorite time to read scripture?

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you read the Bible first thing in the morning? Last thing at night?

FRESH MOUNTAIN AIR

This post is part of the ChristianWriters.com blog chain. Our theme for June is “fresh air.” Click on the links to the right to enjoy what my friends have to say about “fresh air.”

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The contemporary Christian group, Third Day, has a beautiful song called Mountain of God. Here is part of it.

Even though the journey's long

and I know the road is hard.

Well, the one who's gone before me,

He will help me carry on.

And after all that I've been through,

now I realize the truth

that I must go through the valley

to stand upon the mountain of God!

Do you recall Moses’ journey through the desert?  For 40 years as the Jews meandered toward their goal, following as God led them by day with a pillar of cloud and by night with a pillar of fire. What a long, hot, dusty journey it must have been. How many of the people who had left Egypt died in that desert? How much suffering was involved in the journey?

I imagine the tents and the families; little children running past the crying babies and moaning elders, tired from the journey—emotionally, physically and spiritually. I imagine Moses, climbing the mountain and finding God waiting for him. It must have meant cooler temperatures, possibly even fresh, invigorating air after the heat of the dry, desert valley.

We too wander the desert of life. We yearn for a roadmap, forgetting that God has given us his divine roadmap right there in scripture. Sometimes—even with our eyes focused on God—we wander the desert valley. Trials. Pain. Worry. Grief. Setbacks. Loneliness.

These valleys make us yearn for the fresh air we can find when we stand on the mountain with God. Those precious moments when we feel God’s presence; know His love and grace.

Here’s to the fresh air we can find when we stand upon the mountain with God.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for walking through our valleys with us and thank you for meeting us on the mountain where you fill our spirits with your fresh air. Remind us that your presence, your word and your Spirit are refreshing to our souls. Keep us seeking after you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Was there a time in your life when you felt you were traveling through a long, dry desert valley? Was there a time when you experienced the refreshing presence of God and could look back on the valley and know that God carried you through it?