Conquering the Spirit of Fear

What strikes fear in your heart? Is it circumstances, people, the dark?

fear num 14 prov 29a

Numbers 14 What does Satan send your way that sends you into a tailspin? The most destructive tool he has in his arsenal is that of fear. Of what are we fearful? After hearing the report of the 12 spies the Israelites, one by one, dismissed the words that the land before them was flowing with milk and honey; even after seeing the cluster of grapes carried on a staff between two men. It was when they heard about the strong inhabitants and the fortified cities they lost all courage. Over their cries, Caleb and Joshua cried out: “If the Lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us.” Yet one cry led to another and then another and finally, the cries of fear rose above Caleb and Joshua’s testimony.

Satan used the words: the land devours its inhabitants, the people are of great stature, and we seemed like grasshoppers both to ourselves and to them. Solomon was right; The fear of people becomes a snare,…[Prov 29:25] and Satan uses that fear to trap us.

Where does Satan have you in his grip of fear? Remember this truth: If God is for us, who can be against us?[Rom 8:31 ] and this: “whoever trusts in the Lord shall be exalted” [Prov 29:25]

May it be said you as God said of Caleb:

“he has a different spirit and has followed me fully,”

 

Satan’s Defeat and Christ’s Promise

ImageIn 1903 a Sikh named Sundar Singh struggled to know the truth. After he grew he became bitter and angered at God but on this day, 19 December 1903, he began to pray that God would reveal himself—if he really existed. If not, Sundar planned to throw himself in front of the morning train. For seven hours he prayed. “O God, if there is a God, reveal yourself to me tonight.”  As he prayed a man appeared before him with nail-pierced hands, saying, “How long will you deny me? I died for you; I have given my life for you.” He knew it was Christ. From that point on until his death he proclaimed the truth of the gospel message even in the midst of hardship and persecution in the Tibetan region.

As we read the words of Revelation we are reminded of this one man and countless others who gave their lives to serve and to reach the lost with the gospel message. Today as we read Revelation chapter 12 we find solace in one thing and that is once again God’s mercy is overflowing to the ones who recognize the Son of God as the Messiah. He will protect them and prepare a special place just as he did for Sundar in his travels about India and Tibet. He remained uncompromising in his faith and his walk for Jesus. And we must do that as well.

In the future miracles will prove that there are true believers through three acts/attitudes (1) the blood of the Lamb which they now know is their cleansing of sin, (2) the word of their testimony, (3) they did not love their lives so much that they would want to preserve it but rather will be willing to suffer and die for His Name’s Sake.

If we are faithful the words of Jesus will be a living reality: permission to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God, not be harmed by the second death, the hidden manna and a new name written in glory, authority over nations, a new white garment and his name forever etched in the book of life, and to join Christ upon his throne. [Rev 2&3]

We must be about the business of sharing and praying for the many who are even today being martyred for all of these three things. Are you/am I  prepared to be an overcomer this day? Cling to His promise: I will protect  you and I will never leave you nor forsake you.

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