Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
We are told not to fear, and to be strong and courageous. But fear can be a powerful force and not so easily dismissed. And if this verse stopped there, it could seem hopeless to be able to follow this instruction. Thankfully, the verse does not stop there. It goes on to tell us why we can be strong and courageous - it is the Lord our God who goes with us. We are not facing our fear and the circumstances triggering this fear alone. God Himself is walking alongside us and has promised not to forsake us so we will never be alone.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious but instead be thankful. How can we be thankful in situations that naturally bring anxiety? We can be thankful because we have the privilege of bringing all those anxiety-producing things to God. And we can leave them with Him. He will trade your anxiety for peace. And that peace will guard your heart and your mind from further anxiety. It's one of the benefits we receive when we become a child of God through Jesus.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33
We will have trouble. So don't be surprised when this happens. But that trouble does not have to destroy our peace. Jesus has overcome any trouble this world will bring us. It does not have the power to overcome us because He has overcome it.
"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." ~ Matthew 6:31-34
I find that often the reason I am worried and distressed is because I am borrowing trouble. I am fine in this moment but am allowing the fear of future trouble to take away the peace of the present. It is an exercise in futility, but I do it way too often.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. ~ Isaiah 43:2
Once again, we are told we will pass through frightening things. But we do not need to be afraid because He will not let these things harm us. Just as God took His people through the river on dry ground, and through fire without being burnt or even smelling of smoke, He will be with us through everything, protecting His own.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ~ John 14:27
If we're honest I think we would all agree that peace is one of the things we want the most. To live in peace, to feel peace deep within our souls, is our heart's desire. But there is so much happening around us that sometimes it can be difficult to find peace. However, peace comes not from what goes on around us, but from Who lives within us. And when we have that's a good thing! Because
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. ~ Psalm 112:7
The last few weeks I've been watching as the news brings story after of story of chaos. Some days the stock market seems to be in free fall, and even the weather seems to have turned on us. And yet, I've felt a feeling of peace, of knowing that there is nothing that surprises God and He is the One Who is holding each of His children.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
If we live in fear, we know that it is not from God because God does not give us a spirit of fear. When God is in control of our minds and emotions, we are aware of the power we have through Him, we are aware of His love that gives us the ability to love others well, and we live with self-control instead of being controlled by fear.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39
Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble, so it does not come as a surprise when this happens. But we are also told that no matter the trouble, there is no chance for it to separate us from God's love. And included in HIs love are His faithfulness and grace. Isaiah 54:17 tells us that no weapon formed against us will prosper. I've always loved that verse but recently I noticed verse 16 as well. In verse 16 we are reminded that God made the one who makes the weapons and wreaks havoc. The created is never greater than the creator, the creator has ultimate control and will not allow evil to overtake His people.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. ~ Zephaniah 3:17
How can I be afraid and worried when God Himself is with me, rejoicing over me, quieting me with His love, and exulting over me? I have known the feeling of being quieted by God's love. In a time of my life when I had no answers, and was being attacked from multiple directions, God wrapped His love around me in a way I could feel. Every night when I went to bed, actually to a couch because I didn't have a bed then, His love would wrap around me like a warm blanket, and, feeling safe and loved after another long hard day, I would sleep. I think often of that time. I don't always feel it so tangibly now, but remembering that time, and knowing He is near whether I feel Him or not, is so comforting
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
So much depends on our point of view. If I had not personally experienced the almost tangible feeling of God's love wrapping around me with a warmth and gentleness I can hardly describe, I would not have the confidence to tell others of His comfort.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." ~ Psalm 91:1-2
To dwell in His shelter means to choose to live within His protection. It is a place of security and stability, no matter what happens around us. He is a refuge and fortress, stronger than any attack launched our way.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13
So, after reading all these verses telling of us of the many ways we are kept, protected, strengthened, and loved by God, we can walk in confidence, knowing we can do anything He asks of us, as long as He is with us. And He has promised us multiple times that He will always be with us.
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