Fear No Fear

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

You came near in the day that I called on you. You said, “Don’t be afraid.” Lord, you have pleaded the causes of my soul. You have redeemed my life.
Lamentations 3:57-58 (emphasis added)

In the Old Covenant, they had to call and cry for the Lord. In the New Covenant, the Lord dwells inside us. We are able to enter into the throne room of the Lord (Hebrews 4:16). The Holy of Holies. But the principle in this verse is the same today as it was then. The Lord will answer us when we call on Him (Psalm 91:15). We might be turning our heads to say ‘Lord?’ We might be crying out with all we have. It doesn’t matter to Him. We call. He answers.

We don’t even HAVE to stand in the courts of His temple. He does live inside us. He is as close as close can be, and knows all we go through. But we can still call on Him. We can still say ‘hey, this is happening.’ In fact, He likes it. Why? We might know what our children like but we still enjoy hearing them ask. Not to make them beg. Not to hold it out, dangling their wants/needs as a prize to jump for. We like to hear it so that we get the joy of saying ‘yes’ and see their faces light up. The Lord is our Father. He feels the same way.

What happens when we call on Him? He gets close to us. As close as He is, that arm goes around us. He pats His leg with His hand and invites us to jump into His lap. He NEVER fails to do this. If we call on the Lord, the Lord answers us. Every time (Jeremiah 33:3). If your ears are open, your spirit will hear Him. Every time. What is the first thing He says when we tell Him of our problems, issues, fears, concerns, worries, stresses, wants, and needs? “Don’t be afraid.” Why? The Lord is our security (Proverbs 3:25-26). Whatever is facing us, it isn’t too big for Him. He has it all covered. God has made a LOT of promises in His Word about us and our lives. Each and every promise through Him is a Yes (2 Corinthians 1:20). They are glorious promises of Freedom and Blessing! Our security in Him is where the Lord starts. It isn’t where He ends.

God is specific. God doesn’t sweep us with generalities. He gave us Jesus as Lord and Saviour. He also gave us Jesus as an advocate. 1 John 2:1-2 says we have a counsellor, helper, intercessor, advocate, and comforter in Jesus. He was and is the atoning sacrifice for sin. Ours and everyone else’s too. This was all done while we were still in sin. It puts paid to the idea that God hates sinners. He doesn’t. He hates sin, but He loves each and every person that He created. That is an amazing thing! How can we not bring Him our praises and worship the MOMENT that we can enter His righteous presence without fear? The moment we have been redeemed and covered by the Blood of the Lamb? How can you fear with all that on your side?

The Lord doesn’t tell you not to be afraid because His Word says you’ll be Blessed or Victorious. He tells you not to be afraid because He has Jesus in your corner. God is three people! The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are constantly and continually telling us what the best course of action is, how to do it as well as what to do. They’re picking us up when we fall, forgiving us when we repent, giving us the tools not to fall again. Comforting us when we’re sad and showing us how to put sorrow beneath our feet. They are the biggest and most total proponents of glorious living that ever have existed ever because they invented it! And they want it for everyone! Every spirit renewed! Everyone covered and walking in Jesus’ righteousness!

Jesus came from Heaven to die for you. And for me. And for everyone. He did NOT wait for us to ask Him to. He did NOT wait until we wanted Him. He did it when we hated, despised, and were repulsed by everything righteous. We did NOT want Him. We were in fact more likely to be in the crowd baying for His blood than we were to be among those who loved Him but were afraid. Jesus died anyway. Paid the price anyway. Rose from the dead and broke the power of sin for all eternity anyway. He redeemed your life. Without anything on the table except His love for us. If we reach out and accept it, His sacrifice will transform you into a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). We are brand new. Reconciled to God Almighty. Because of His steadfast love and eternal, unending mercy. Given Jesus’ righteous spirit because God is righteous and nothing un-righteous can withstand or survive in His presence. Praise the Lord!!

This is the God who is in your corner. There’s no way forward for you? God has a way for you to go forward (Jeremiah 29:11). You’re weary? Life beating you down? God has you covered (2 Corinthians 12:10). Struggling with temptations? God can show you the way through (1 Corinthians 10:13). Are you a bundle of feelings? At the mercy of what broils, broods, or grips you? God can steady you (2 Peter 1:5-9). God is a good God (Psalm 145:9). His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1). He is worthy of our praise (Revelation 4:11). And He has His hands open to you (Isaiah 41:13-14). There is healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2). Jesus is ready to take us in, train us up, and set us on the path right behind Him so we can walk like Him, talk like Him, and imitate Him in every way (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Fear has NO PLACE in your life. Not at any time. Not over anything. Not one single thing. The Lord has us covered more ways than we can understand in our humanity (Isaiah 55:8-9). So accept the redemption of the Lord and let Him transform you into a new creature and leave that old human behind. Once you’ve received it, rely on Him. Trust Him. Don’t let fear turn your prayers into begging. Don’t let fear make you doubt. God is bigger than that. God is better than that. God is everything. Let Him be everything to you. By Grace. Through Faith. According to His Word. He gives it all to you. Receive it. Believe it. Walk in it.

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: Psalm 5:11-12

God loves us. And God loves to see us Blessed and Safe. Where is it safe? In His arms. Arms that He extends to us all. Waiting like a patient Father for us to toddle across the room and collapse into them. To be wrapped in that safety, that Joy, that Righteousness, and behind the wall of His Favour. The Lord loves you deeply. Run to His arms and see for yourself! He makes the best shield because He never fails. It doesn’t mean He pulls you out of the situation. It means He is beside you until there is victory in the situation. Sometimes that means we do what He says. Sometimes that means He is doing the thing. Whichever it is, we are covered by Him as we stand on His Word. As we shelter in His protection. Safe in the boat while the storm rages. Peaceful. Shielded. His.

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.