The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
"Fear and Opportunity"
Every thought or feeling of fear or insecurity provides born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ with opportunity to trust God for His peace and assurance.
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 56:3).
"Afraid" can refer to any sense of jeopardy or uncertainty, regardless of the nature or measure. Our Heavenly Father desires the tranquility of our hearts in all things. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee" (Isaiah26:3). Tiny seeds of fear can and will sprout into tall forests of fear if we do not quickly and decisively confront the challenge of spiritual enemies who seek to thwart the peace of the Lord Jesus in our hearts. "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines" (Song of Solomon 2:15).
The Apostle Paul commanded that we "bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). Notions of fear and insecurity must be countered by our quick and decisive determination to trust the Lord for His leadership, provision, and protection. Indeed, rather than run away in fear, we heed the Psalmist to run into safe haven: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).
Believers live in such a strength and security in Christ that we can live "bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1). We should. We must! A world steeped in fear awaits to see the peace of God in our countenance, demeanor, attitudes, words, and deeds. The Lord Jesus is more than able to confront every challenge we will ever face, and has in fact already done so. These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Through Him, we also can face our challenges and overcome. "This is the victory that ovecometh the world, even our faith" (I John 5:4).
As we trust our Lord in our "What time I am afraid" challenges, such moments will become blessed experiences of "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). Moreover, peace experienced becomes peace expressed unto others. Few opportunities present bear more potential for impacting our hearts and our spheres of influence for the glory of the Lord Jesus.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7)
Weekly Memory Verse
Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.
(Psalm 50:15)
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