Fear No Fear

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

Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil,

Matthew 4:1

Have you ever spelunked? Caved? Potholed? The basics are simple. You get a bunch of equipment, you go into the ground, and you explore in the dark with a bunch of bats, creepy crawlies, damp, and echo. Did I mention the dark part? Because it is really, really, REALLY dark. The kind of dark where you want to have five different types of flashlights with you, all with backup batteries, safely stowed on your person, and at least one of them a lamp for your helmet. Because you NEED a helmet. Also gloves, kneepads, reflective tape, survival supplies, boots, first aid equipment, and food for three days (stuff happens). And the number one rule that’s more important than number one? Bring someone. NEVER, EVER go alone. Bring a MINIMUM of one experienced person who has done it before, is familiar with the place you are going, and is experienced in the overall sport. This cannot be stressed highly enough. It is a MUST. That is exactly what Ruach HaKodesh is to us.

Jesus was baptized. He had been told at some point early on He was the Son of Adonai Elohim. He’d learned the scriptures just like He’d learned to walk and talk. He’d learned to submit to authority. He’d learned what it was like being human and limited in scope, understanding, and wisdom. He’d had to get used to NOT being God. Now He was FOR THE FIRST TIME reunited with Ruach HaKodesh. He had a perfect spirit. He had THE Ruach living inside Him. He had access to that power. First stop: desert. Emptiness. To learn all over again how to commune with Ruach HaKodesh. To learn all over again how to be Adonai while also being NOT-Adonai. And since Yahweh had called Him out AS the Son of the Most High, the devil needed to make sure AND see if he could pull another snake maneuver. It was going to be a tight and dangerous place. Jesus needed help.

We are also called to go to difficult places. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps” (1 Peter 2:21). “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). These are not places we should go alone. These are not places we are MEANT to go alone. We are meant to have our professional, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipowerful, experienced spelunker with us (John 14:26; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 15:13).

The life of the believer is impossible to live without Him. We can’t do the right thing every time. We can’t have the right thoughts every time. We don’t say the right words every time. Our hearts are not always in it every time. These are real issues. Ones that we cannot overcome. It is NOT that we are sinners, because we aren’t. “Therefore, because we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). We all SINNED, and we all choose to SIN in some way at some time, but we are not SINNERS. We’re the righteousness of Adonai Elohim in Messiah Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). What we have is HABIT. Habitual thoughts. Habitual words. Habitual ideas. Habitual actions. Habits. If we stay connected to Jesus (John 15:5) and use the Word so that Adonai can retrain our minds (Romans 12:2) and sanctify us with it (John 17:17), then we will change those habits over time (John 3:30). Sooner or later we will sin no more (2 Corinthians 3:18). We can’t do that outside Jesus. And no one wants us to.

We are going to go to difficult places. And difficult situations are going to come our way. But we don’t have to accept them. We don’t have to take them. We can leave them alone and continue along the safe path. Surrounded by darkness, flying things, creepy crawlies, and all kinds of danger, but lead faithfully and safely through them right to the other side. We don’t need to go it alone. We can go it with Ruach HaKodesh. He can be our guide. It’s why He came. Let’s let Him do His job. Let’s remember to look to Him BEFORE the going gets tough so that when it is a little bit difficult, we’re right on course and in the centre of His will.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Matthew 6:8

“Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” Words. We like to use words, don’t we? If we pick the right ones and throw enough of them, we get what we want, right? It’s a common idea. And it’s a fallacy. We might throw a fit, but we aren’t doing ourselves any favours. Especially when we’re dealing with someone (Adonai) who doesn’t DO fits. Fits are selfish. Selfishness is not trusting. Not trusting is sin (Romans 14:23). Adonai doesn’t HEAR sin (John 9:31). All our begging and pleading and cajoling? They’re SELF-based. They’re a sinful attitude because they are not JESUS oriented. We KNOW from the character of Adonai that it is His will for EVERYONE to be healthy. For there to be NO deterioration EVER (even as we age) and NO sickness, NO disease, NONE of that EVER. That’s His will. It doesn’t come to pass because this is a fallen creation. It doesn’t come to pass because sin is in the world and personal sins are blocking obedience to Him. It doesn’t come to pass because we harden our hearts against Him. We have free will. We don’t always use it wisely. So let’s not beg. Let’s not beg for healing. Let’s not beg for the bills paid. Let’s not beg for children, relatives, or friends to be saved. Let’s not beg for our problems to be solved. Instead, let’s find out what His will is on all the things in life through the Word. Let’s find out what He wants. We can ASK for things, based on His will, to glorify Him. When we do that, we get what we ask for EVERY TIME – in His timeline (since He has all those other people with free will He’s dealing with), 1 John 5:14. And all the pesky little things that are our upkeep or ‘needs’ like food, shelter, warmth, relationship? He ALREADY knows them. He is ALREADY meeting them. Even before YOU knew you needed it, HE knew and put a plan into action. He ALWAYS meets our needs. ALWAYS (Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:33). What 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