Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

And likewise also, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as one ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unexpressed groanings.

Romans 8:26

We are not strong. We are weak. Our flesh is perfectly attuned to this world – both of which are fallen. When we are saved, we become new creatures, but our habits, which are based in our thinking, remain. Our minds need renewing if that is ever going to change. We cannot hope to act differently if the thought process by which we decide to take actions is still broken. We never think of it as broken, but when placed side by side with Adonai’s point of view, it clearly is.

All that we used to think. The way we thought things were. All those VERY human ideas and plans. Even what we desired and what we thought was pleasurable. It is ALL very different in the Light of His presence. We’ve been playing in the dark with shadow puppets. The reality of what is, what could be, and what we are capable of is VERY different. We can scorn the ideas until we’re face to face with them – and then they become something we need to wrestle with.

Take words. The Word teaches that they can shape reality. It seems so hokey. Like something prehistorics played with because they understood nothing of how the world works. Like something a mystery religion or cult would tell people works so that they can get thousands of people chanting phrases over and over, waiting for them to become reality. But it isn’t the words themselves that create. It is the power behind Yahweh’s Word that creates. It is only when we acknowledge Him, submit to His point of view and timetable, and then speak in harmony with what He has already said about a given situation that anything happens. Speaking out in our own strength, for our reasons gets us nothing. It is the anointed Word of God that gets results. Not us.

We are a prideful race – an effect of the Fall – and we want to make ourselves so very great. Most of the time though, we’re standing outside naked and yelling at clouds. Tilting at windmills, as it were. It’s funny, though. We don’t FEEL shame. We feel powerful. It is when we start to see who Elohim really is that we get a sense of shame rising when we act. It is NOT because we should be ashamed. It’s NOT because we should be embarrassed. It’s NOT because we’re crazy and buying into something we shouldn’t. It’s because of that old thinking. Suddenly, instead of being confident in Him, we’re a kid doing something stupid – and everyone is watching. Believe me. I was a stupid kid and I remember the feeling.

It is that feeling – based in the flesh and old thinking – that keeps us from speaking about Jesus freely. It’s what stops us from relating that anecdote from church. Keeps us from asking them if they know Jesus. Keeps us from being freer. You know what helps? Ruach HaKodesh. He reminds us who we are in Jesus. He reminds us what JESUS can do. He reminds us we can trust in Him when we’re being nudged to speak. He reminds us of the reality and solid ground that is the Word. He reminds us of Elohim’s point of view.

It is in our weakness that we rely on Him least. And in our strength that our need is greatest. Ruach HaKodesh is meant to be the barrier between us and old thinking. That momentary barrier that gives us a chance to speak differently, do differently, and be different. The Word gets into us as an agent of change and Ruach HaKodesh reminds us of it. The right words at the right time. He’s the rain-x on our mental windshield that keeps wrong thinking from obscuring our view. He reminds us that our trust in and reliance on Jesus can wipe it all away. To make clear our path. So we can see how Jesus has made the path straight.

Take advantage of that voice. Listen and apply it. It can save you untold hours of frustration and grief. It can keep you from piling on more and more problems in an already confused situation. It can give us clarity and a place to find out answers – reminding us of the Word. It’s a voice that always points to Jesus. It’s a voice that always helps to clear up the blurry. All we need to do is listen and obey.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 25:8

“Good and right is Yahweh; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.” In a world of increasing twistedness, the fact that Adonai is upright is a HUGE relief. We can TRUST Him. We can DEPEND on Him. Things aren’t going to go roly-poly overnight. The rug will stay under our feet. What He said was right yesterday will still be right tomorrow. And next year. And forever. He sets up systems, values, and morals from HIS point of view and then lets them operate. He doesn’t set up one thing and then do another. He doesn’t make things false OR approve of false things. He IS truth and is dedicated to the truth. It is an almost overwhelmingly refreshing reality. Our God can be faithfully trusted. We have a GOOD God.

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8