The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Good Fight"
Our spiritual enemies ever tempt us to be fearful, as opposed to God's Spirit working in us to trust Him and live in the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"God hath not given unto us the spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7).
"But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil" (Proverbs 1:33).
"Be careful (anxious) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
Note the powerful basis upon which God enables us to overcome temptations to fear: the Holy Spirit works within us to reveal His love, power, and sound mind. Born again believers in Christ are God's living temple, a place where certainly we should expect His peace to reign. "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15). However, we must "fight the good fight of faith" in order to maintain the tranquility whereby we are "quiet from fear of evil" and "anxious for nothing" (I Timothy 6:12). We make choices to believe the Word of God in the face of our enemies' challenges to be foment fear and insecurity. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (I John 5:4).
Certainly, giving in to fear involves fleshly unbelief for which we are completely responsible. However, we also do well to realize devilish involvement in temptations of insecurity. Somebody ever seeks to steal our experience of a heart kept by the peace of God. Moreover, in our generation, Satan and his minions possess countless devices to present images and ideas that challenge and tempt us. We must see through the appearances and realize that malevolent influences seek to hinder our walk in God's peace. They cannot force us to forfeit such grace. But they can tempt us severely, as allowed by our Heavenly Father. Indeed, the blessed truth of temptations to fear involves the opportunity they present to consciously relate to our Lord by affirming His Word, remembering His faithful heart, and joining the Psalmist in declaring…
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."
(Psalm 56:3)
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee."
(Isaiah 26:3)
Weekly Memory Verse
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."
(Psalm 56:3)
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