Fear No Fear

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

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions which you were taught, whether by spoken word or by letter from us.“

2 Thessalonians 2:15

The plural of Lego has no ‘s’. You step on Lego, you play with Lego, there are no Legos. The original version of A New Hope with no digital advancements and Han Solo shooting first is not a ‘lost version’. Fans have been watching it on pay-per-view, VHS cassettes, and several DVD AND Blu-Ray releases over the last fifty years. Ostriches don’t bury their heads in the sand to avoid threats. You do NOT swallow spiders in your sleep – no one EVER has. Storing batteries in a fridge or freezer doesn’t prolong their life, it in fact does the opposite. Cracking your knuckles doesn’t give you arthritis – osteoarthritis does, and that is a condition that isn’t helped or hurt by cracking knuckles. These are all myths, misinformation, untruths that MANY people believe – even when you show them the evidence. It is EASY to grab a hold of the wrong information. Sadly, it is DIFFICULT to rid yourself of it. As a whole, believers have let go of a really, REALLY important truth: Jesus loves us.

Don’t scoff. If you truly believed that Jesus loved you, you wouldn’t believe He sends sickness to teach people lessons or that He tests us to see whether we will fail or not. Does Adonai test us? Yes. But He does it so that we can prove ourselves to ourselves and to the devil that what He said about us was true. Adonai KNOWS the end from the beginning. He never allows a test He doesn’t know will benefit us IF we prove ourselves. We don’t always. We bail on some tests. We fold like cheap cardboard and refuse to do what He’s told us to do. Not everyone in the bible proved to themselves that what Adonai said was true. Others did. Some did, but not perfectly. Judas failed to prove that he could accept repentance. Peter did. Jesus healed sickness wherever He went and SOUGHT to deliver it to everyone He came across. The Father knew who was ready to prove themselves ready to receive healing and each and every one of those was given the opportunity. Those who would fail? They weren’t given the opportunity. Because Adonai NEVER wants to see us fail. He’d rather wait and keep sending you the message until you’re ready to receive it (2 Peter 3:9). Like the cripple at the Temple gates Jesus MUST have passed, but who Peter and John later healed. Adonai ALWAYS wants us to be whole, ALWAYS wants us to prove ourselves in Jesus, and ALWAYS seeks restoration of relationship between Himself and humanity. He is consistent. He NEVER changes.

But we are too quick to look around ourselves as the basis for what Adonai does and doesn’t do. We see healing not working here. Or someone preaching healing, teaching healing, declaring healing – but they themselves seem to suffer illness. Adonai is NOT inconsistent. He wants EVERYONE who believes in Him and rests in Jesus to walk in health. Why the inconsistency of result? It’s never Adonai. It’s always us. Or time. Or who knows what. He does. We certainly can ask. Not BEGGING, but asking even as we thank Him for the healing that doesn’t seem to be manifesting. We can rely on what we cannot see but that His Word proclaims. It’s a surer thing than anything else in this life. And it is the ONLY WAY to make it through adverse circumstances. To realise that we are surrounded by protection when we cannot see evidence of it (2 Kings 6:17). To realise the battle is won even when a single soldier hasn’t been fought (2 Kings 7:3-5). To stand on the promise that provision is provided even when human hands aren’t involved (1 Kings 17:4). I’ve seen food stretch. I’ve seen vehicles start whose batteries are completely toast. I’ve seen vehicles veer off inexplicably instead of smashing into a freeway accident. I’ve seen Adonai work supernaturally. I’ve seen it and heard dozens upon dozens upon dozens of other stories from trusted sources. Adonai is consistent. He works miracles.

I’ve also seen sickness where sickness was commanded to go. I’ve seen conditions persist, when promises were stood on for YEARS. I don’t fully understand those circumstances. Things in my own life that I know I have authority over and command according to His will as written in the Word don’t always come to pass. YET. But I stand on the victory even as I thank Him AND ask if I missed it somewhere. Kind of like checking in to make sure you got the right address on the package. I know the package was sent. I know I paid the postage. I know it’s in the system. I don’t DOUBT that it WILL be delivered. I’m just double checking ONCE to see if I got something on the address wrong – and letting Him decide when and if the one request for clarification will be answered. I don’t step off believe and trust that it WILL happen. What if it doesn’t, you might ask. Well… what if it does? I won’t change my stance on a promise unless Adonai shows me that I’m wrong – and then I’ll adjust accordingly as fast as I can. Adonai is consistent. He works miracles.

I am not letting go of the idea that Jesus loves me. That He is compassionate toward me. That He wants the best for me. That He is seeking to see it manifest in my life. And the more I know about His love the more His love will operate in my life. It’s a promise in the Word (Ephesians 3). I won’t let go of the fact that He will meet ALL my needs – whether I am in an environmental disaster, an economic disaster, a technological disaster, a man-made disaster, or all of the above. Jesus told us the Father KNOWS what we need and the Father GIVES us what we need. Period. Black and white. NO GREY (Matthew 6:31-33). My responsibility isn’t worrying, being anxious, getting depressed, or letting ANY of it trouble me. MY responsibility is to not let go of the promise and seek His face. Always. In everything thanking Him and relying on Him. Trusting Him. Period.

It isn’t easy if we aren’t developing a daily relationship with Him. It’s hard to significantly trust anyone without being intimate with them in some way. We need to KNOW them and their character before we really TRUST them to come through. It’s the same with Adonai. He tells us to develop our trust by hearing the Word because the Word carries His moral character. His bonafides. Ruach HaKodesh was sent to us to guide us as we learn about it. To talk to us about it as we listen to it. To correct us when we start to let go of it – or if we grab a hold of something contrary to it. He comforts us when we don’t quite get it. He rejoices with us when we do. He’s there for all of the in between parts. We need to listen to the Word taught and hang onto what we hear. To test it all ourselves at home with the Word open in our lap and our eyes on Jesus. The truth sets you free from worry. Sets you free from anxiety. Sets you free from panic. Sets you free from depression. The truth gets you through. And the truth is the Word and the Word is truth (John 17:17). Lean in, listen, and HANG ON. The ride might get bumpy, but if your grip is secure you’ll get to the other side braced and protected by your loving Father.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 54:4

“See, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who sustain my life.” A good father shows up. Adonai is always with us (Psalm 16:8-11). A good father sets a good example. Jesus is the BEST example we could have (1 Peter 2:21-25) and if we’ve seen Jesus, we’ve seen the Father (John 14:9). A good father takes joy in his kids. Adonai takes GREAT JOY in us (Zephaniah 3:17). A good father listens. Adonai ALWAYS listens (Psalm 34:17). A good father spends time with his kids. Adonai is with us ALWAYS (John 14:16-17). A good father protects. Adonai is a protective father. It is our heritage in Him (Isaiah 54:17). A good father is supportive. Adonai supports and encourages us (Psalm 46:1). Adonai is a WONDERFUL father to us at ALL times. What a GOOD Father! 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