Fear No Fear

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

In the middle of the night I rise to give you thanks, because of your righteous ordinances

Psalm 119:62

There have been times that I have woken up in the middle of the night, coming to myself verbally decrying whatever it was that was happening in my dream. Standing against it with the Word and choosing to praise Adonai over it. I don’t think it’s that weird. I dream with the same intensity that I experience waking life. Technicolor, 3-D, stereo sound, the works. Vivid dreams. Sometimes they are also lucid (when I am aware it is a dream). That is standard every night dreaming. I often remember my dreams for the first few hours of the day and occasionally longer. More and more frequently, in the middle of the night I am calling on Adonai as I dream or as I wake from a dream. Not in fear. In praise and sometimes righteous anger.

I’ve never felt alone in these situations. I’ve always felt like I am saying the right thing and doing the right thing. Ruach HaKodesh is the confidence I have that I am doing right (Luke 12:12). Even though it is dark and quiet and my corner of the world is asleep, I am confident. “Yours is the day, yours is the night also. You established light and the sun” (Psalm 74:16). Whether in the middle of the day or the middle of the might, Adonai is with me. Ruach HaKodesh indwells me. I am secure like a baby ostrich with its parents – who protect them from the hot sun or rain by keeping them huddled under their body. He guards me (Proverbs 4:23). It’s funny though, it only happens on the nights where I have spent the day with Him.

When I have wandered or strayed, not necessarily being disobedient, but not feeding on what I should be; those are the nights I don’t wake. That I just dream the dreams – not always a positive experience. It takes me spending time with Him. Spending time in the Word. Spending time in prayer and fasting. It takes me seeking His presence and not stopping until I’ve spent time with Him. It isn’t always big study sessions. Sometimes it’s micropraise throughout the day. Moments building on moments. It doesn’t take a lot to keep our mind stayed on Him. Ever been outside on a sunny day? The sun may be shining, but you won’t feel it on your face until you tilt your head. You don’t have to bend over backwards. You don’t have to fall down. You don’t have to jump or run. You just walk out of the shade, face the correct direction, and tilt your head slightly. The sun will be on your face. Works just the same with Adonai.

Ruach HaKodesh will lead us out of the shade. He will tell us which direction the Father is in. He will encourage us to tilt our heads just enough. And we will be in the Light of Adonai. In the morning. During the day. In the middle of the night. It doesn’t matter to Ruach HaKodesh. He never sleeps. He never leaves. He is always there, always instructing, always guiding, always ready to correct, and always ready to show us where, how, and when to praise Adonai. He is the night light of our souls. The One we can glace at to know Adonai is still with us. We can still praise. Everything is all right. Jesus is on the case. We’re good, because we’re in Him.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 30:5

“For there is a moment in his anger; there is a lifetime in his favor. Weeping lodges for the evening, but in the morning comes rejoicing” Adonai corrects us because He loves us (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6). He loves us too much to leave us broken and wandering. Too much to let us spread filth and disease all over ourselves. He loves us too much not to show us how we can be just like Jesus. And give us the tools to accomplish it in Him. But when we stray, He corrects us. This isn’t punishment. This is the bridle moving the horse the right way. The yoke guiding the oxen. The training that creates a great tool like a hunting falcon or a cunning warrior. Everything He does and everything He says in correcting us will be truth, will be what we need, and will be in direct proportion to our failure to trust in Jesus. Like driving a vehicle. Slight drifting, slight correction. Complete loss of control, severe corrective action. It is up to us whether to obey or whether to be corrected. If it is correction we choose, we can take heart and solace that He is able to complete it in us (1 John 1:9). We can repent and be returned good as new – never to repeat the infraction of distrust. He gives us everything we need to accomplish true repentance AND guides us every step of the way during our course correction. He stays with us through it all. 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