Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, says, “My people who dwell in Zion, don’t be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod, and lift up his staff against you, as Egypt did.
Isaiah 10:24 (emphasis added)

There are times we turn from God and go our own way. There are consequences with that, but they are not consequences to be scared of. God is not waiting to smash us with a hammer (or worse) whenever we go wrong. Our Father is NOT wrathful toward us. The Father loves us. More than we can imagine. More than we can ever know. But it is love and not anger, frustration, hurt, betrayal, or pique that motives Him. Our sins were paid for by Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection afterwards. Period. Done deal. Gone. Psalm 103:10-14 “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.” But God judges us all, you say. Not yet, He doesn’t. He corrects us. But judgment is not yet. Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” (Matthew 10:15). And 2 Peter 3:7 “But the heavens that exist now and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” The DAY of judgment. It will be a day. A day in our future. We are not judged now. Now is the time of correction. The time to still be able to change our ways.

If we find ourselves off course, God has a plan to get us back (Isaiah 41:10). Not back to where we were when we went AWOL, but back on course to our destination. He will correct us if we will accept the correction (2 Timothy 3:16). With humility. Not with excuses. We know when we err if we are getting into the Word every day. The Holy Spirit will show us where we shuffled (or sprinted) off the path if we ask Him (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit is always there talking to us. Prayer is a dialogue. A two-way street. The Word tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19). The Lord wants to talk TO and WITH us at all times. So He can show us how we can be our best us: the us that Jesus died to make. We have His righteous spirit, His grace, His faith, and His authority. If we’re walking in that, we’re walking where the Father wants us. If we stray, the Holy Spirit can show us how to correct our course. No one likes correction. It can feel terrible. But the Lord is merciful and gracious and full of steadfast love (Psalm 103:8). He has redeemed us from so much it should bring tears to your eyes. We’re free of so many things. But we’re human and people and sometimes? We go where we should not, do what we should not, and end up having to deal with consequences.

Do not be afraid of them. God is there. Jesus NEVER leaves us. He is there with us. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. They don’t ignore us, even when we ignore them. But we have free will. Just as we chose to stray, we can choose to get back under the Lord’s Grace. Yes, we might have things to deal with. Repentance means not only being sorry but doing everything you can to walk the other way (Luke 3:7-14). It is accepting the consequences and moving ahead. It doesn’t feel good, but our feelings shouldn’t control our lives. So much of what we feel is based in these earthly bodies and this earthly experience. While it happens and seems real, it isn’t the final deal. God can change things. God can help us deal with things. God can deal with things in us. When we go down the garden path, God is there to help us turn around and walk out into His ways (Jeremiah 15:19).

Fear is bondage. Choosing God’s love frees you from that bondage. The Lord has a plan for you. When you mess it up, He has a plan for that. And for that. And for that too. Every day we can choose to continue the process of renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). We can keep the Word of the Lord before our eyes (Proverbs 23:26). We can choose to submit to the will of the Father and do what He tells us to. We aren’t under the old covenant. We are under the new covenant and are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17). So what is there to fear? If we stray, Jesus is there for us. If there are consequences, Jesus will get us through them (Romans 8:26-27;34-35), 1 John 5:18). It only takes a decision and a single step. No matter how far you’ve gone. It is a single step back.

When you abide in God, whether you think you’re succeeding or you think you’re failing; you have NO separation from the Lord and His love and you ALWAYS have Jesus right there to help you. This means there is never, ever, ever, EVER a reason to fear or be anxious or to worry. Thanksgiving and Praise are the language of heaven. In all things, do them (Philippians 4:4-7). You’re not thanking or praising FOR the circumstance but IN the circumstance, because God has you. And that is worth some praise.

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: 2 Corinthians 5

God’s love is around us all the time. He is in that love and we are in that love. It is a tangible thing. It enables fellowship. It is the source of course correction. It is the point at which we focus our self beside His Self and admit we are nothing without Him. That we need Him. It keeps us humble and broken so that we can be in a place to accept all that He offers us. It allows us to know Him as well as He knows us. And He knows us very well. Every nuance, foible, triumph, and talent. Every single thing — good or bad — about us. And He loves us with a consuming love because of it. Not in spite of it. Because of it. We are WORTH knowing. We are WORTH loving. Jesus was pure and righteous in a way we cannot truly comprehend. But He became sin, so we wouldn’t have to suffer. He took the ultimate hit for the team so that we could become like Him. We were worth it. You are WORTH it. You. Just as you are. Let Him hug you today.

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.