Fear No Fear

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


and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

We do NOT live under judgment like in the Old Covenant. “Consequently, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Even so, we know that Elohim is CONSISTENT (Hebrews 13:8). He felt the same way in the Old Covenant as He does in today’s verse. “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’” (Malachi 3:6-7). There is a NEED to obey the commands of Adonai, because those commands are in alignment with His character. Why won’t a word from Elohim be against the scriptures? Because the Word IS His character and there is no contradiction in Him. There needs also to be no contradiction in our behaviour.

Seems like a tall order. Humans are rife with contradictions. We’ll vote against a particular group’s civil liberties, but consider them viable dating partners. We’ll demand honest treatment, but fudge our taxes. We will say one thing in public, but do another in private. How many organisations or individuals have gone through career and business ending scandals simply because the behaviour behind closed doors didn’t match the public message? Too many. I am not being judgmental. This is something we ALL go through – secular or believer. Our professed values do not always match our personal choices. Thing is, though, Ruach HaKodesh is with us on both sides of that coin.

“Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). If we are not thinking about things we shouldn’t, if we don’t expose ourselves to them, how can they be a temptation? If we’re not aware of something, we aren’t going to want it – no matter what it is, does, or makes us feel. Elohim’s admonition to keep the Word before our eyes and think always on Him wasn’t said because of ego. It was said, so that by obeying, we would be protected. It would be for the same reason He didn’t want us eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge: Adonai doesn’t want us thinking on evil. “Brothers, do not become children in your understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in your understanding be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20). We are meant to be thinking about good things (Philippians 4:8) – but they need to be things ADONAI says are good, and not good from a solely human point of view.

There is no such thing as victorious Christian living without a 24/7, year-round dependence upon Ruach HaKodesh (Romans 7:24-25 and 8:2). The Believer’s walk is SIMPLE, but not EASY. Frankly, it’s impossible to live it without the power of Elohim Himself (John 15:5). When we are NOT focusing on Him, when we are polluting our eyes and our minds with things that from HIS point of view are not good, we aren’t making Him happy. He is wanting to lead us (Romans 8:14). He wants our destination to be holiness, not full of holes. If we’ll listen to Him, we’ll save ourselves untold hours of misery and complications. If we remember He has feelings and strive to make Him smile, it becomes easier to listen to Him. It’s a question of focus. A focus on Him brings Him to our minds. A focus on the world and whatever the going trend is – whether simple foolishness or hedonistic – will bring us trouble and a self-erected barrier to the fellowship we truly need on a DAILY basis.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 31:19-20

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.” We have a forward-thinking God (Romans 4:17). It isn’t just wishful thinking. He prepares carefully so that He can Bless us with so MANY good things. Things that are good and things that are good for us. There are too many to count, ready to be released as we grow into the readiness to receive them. When we take shelter in Adonai, we start making our hearts ready. We start focusing on Him more. Letting Him and His Word do a work in us. To transform us and prepare us to receive what He has in store. He doesn’t just put things on a shelf. He actively prepares us to receive them. He is 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