June 12th
June 12th
I ran across a verse the other day that really put me in my place. It made me realize once again how much I need to grow in my faith.
Psalm 112:6-7 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
I knew when I read that verse that I have so far to grow. I cannot yet say that I have no fear of bad news. Of course, having no fear of bad news doesn’t mean having no grief or disappointment or sadness when bad things happen. But I realized in reading that verse, that I do fear bad news from time to time. I do let myself get anxious about the “what ifs” in life. I do dread what could happen.
As I was writing this, I remembered what the Lord said to me once a long time ago when I was afraid as I was stepping out in faith. Because of a previous hurt I was nervous and afraid that the same thing or similar would happen again. It was in the back of my mind and more of an issue than I realized. At the time I attended a Christian conference and while there I remember the Lord asking me (not audibly) what I was afraid would happen in the particular situation. When I told Him, He said, “And I would be there to carry you through it, just like I did last time. So don’t avoid those deep waters, just go ahead and wade in.” And at that moment I found freedom from my fear.
Now 20+ years later, I realized when I read this verse that I have let fear and worry of bad news creep back in to my mind. Not about the same situation, but new things. Now in writing this I remember that I know my God, I know He knows how to carry me through the worst of situations -and bring me through well, not just by the skin of my teeth. So I will hit my knees again to fight this battle in my mind and take those thoughts captive.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Perfect love eliminates fear so I will remind myself of my capable God who will hold me close in this life and get me through every single circumstance, painful or not, in a way that only HE can. I will remind myself that He will use ALL things for my good (Romans 8:28) and His glory.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
That phrase “made perfect” in the last sentence of that verse is the Greek work teleioo which means to consecrate, finish, fulfill, make perfect, accomplish, consummate, reach the end stage or conclusion, reaching the end aim. Strong’s Concordance states that “It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).”
THAT is what I want! I want to fully grasp His perfect love for me so that I have no room for fear or dread in me. So I will endeavor to spend time learning more and more of His love!
Will you join me in this journey?
Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 1so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Jesus, thank you for your perfect love! Help me to grasp more and more understanding of your love every day. May your perfect love change my heart, my mind and my life. I want to live with no fear. Help me to identify and surrender to you and help me to take those thoughts captive and give them to you. Thank you my capable and loving Savior and King!