Shirley
Today I want to brag about my God. I want to speak of his glory and majesty. I want to speak on His indescribable and never-ending love. I want to speak on his abundant and mind-boggling provision. I want to speak about his healing power and the hedge of protecting he places over my life and my loved ones. However, I am also the first to admit that sometimes I forget how majestic and glorious He is. That when trouble and problems come knocking on my door, which includes everything from financial, to health, to family, to work, to my love life etc, I usually cower and hide. I immediately go into this state of panic, self-pity and sometimes hopelessness as I magnify my problem because my human eyes fail to see my way out. As a result, I walk around downcast and abandoned. The Holy spirit often has to knock some sense into me literally. He reminds me that God is the beginning and end. That there is nothing too big for my God. He reminds me how privileged I am to know the creator of the universe. The master of time and creator of life’s seasons. So, when I take the time to remember who my God is as opposed to how big my problem is or how big of a mess, I think my life is, I begin to get this bounce in my step. I almost feel like a super hero when I go out into the world because although everyone can only see me, I have a secret power that no one can see. In fact, I have supernatural power at my disposal. God is with me everywhere I go. Do you know how much power that is? My world may be falling apart but I walk around with this peace that makes no sense. I may be going through the darkest season of my life, but I still have this indescribable joy that allows me to be kind and even help others. Plus, the spoiler is: we win, my God always wins. I believe that if more Christians truly understood how powerful God is, how accessible his promises are, and the kind of power they had at their disposal, that they would walk around like they knew that their father was the King of the universe. Forget Black Panther, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman or even the Avengers crew and all their powers, they all got nothing on the children of God.
THEREFORE, WHEN MY ENEMIES ATTACK: I can confidently say that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against me in judgment will be condemned. (Isaiah 54:17). Even when the wicked, my enemies and foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. (psalms 27:2-3). Thus, I may be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4: 9-10). I know that my God will deliver me from my enemies because He delights in me. (Psalms 18:17-19). In the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will Hide me in the shelter of his scared tent and set me high upon a rock. (psalms 27:5). Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me and I will praise the Lord (Psalms 27:6). No matter how big or strong my enemy is, whenever I go to war, I will never be afraid because God will fight for me. (Deuteronomy 20:1). Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me (psalms 23:4). Additionally, my God prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalms 23:5). Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (psalms 23:6). In fact, I am blessed when people insult me, persecute me and falsely say all kinds of evil against me because of my father in heaven (Mathew 5:11). I rejoice and I am glad, because great is my reward in heaven, for it is the same way they persecuted the prophets who came before (Mathew 5:12). God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper. (Psalms 118:6-7) Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe (Proverbs 29: 25) So yes be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6)
WHEN I AM AFRAID AND NEED PROTECTION: I lift up my eyes to the mountains, my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (psalms 121:1-2) He does not let my foot slip, He who watches over me will not slumber (psalms 121- 3). I know that the LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer (Psalm 18:2). The sun will not harm me by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep me from all harm, He will watch over my life. He will watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore. (psalms 121:5-7). The Lord is my refuge He has never forsaken those who seek Him (psalms 9:9-10). When I am in trouble and I cry out to my God, He saves me from my distress. He brought me out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away my chains. He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron for me. (Psalms 107:13-16). Even when people try to cause me harm, God will use that for my good. (Genesis 50:20). No matter what happens in my life I will always rise again (Proverbs 24:6), and even in a dark and dry season, my leaves will not wither, I will still bear fruit and prosper (psalms 1:3). When I go to battle, I do not need to fight. All I need is to stand firm, and hold my position, and I will see the salvation of the Lord. I will not be afraid or dismayed. I will go into battle and the Lord will be with me. (2 Chronicles 20:17). I may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers me from them all. He protects all my bones, not one of them will be broken. (Psalms 34:19-20). The Lord will rescue His servants; no one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned (Psalms 34:22). When I seek the Lord, He hears me, and delivers me from all my fears. I look unto Him and I am never ashamed (psalms 34:4-5). The angel of the Lord encamps around me because I fear the Lord, and delivers me. When I cry, the Lord hears, and delivers me from all my troubles. When my heart is broken the Lord is close; and He saves me when my spirit is crushed. (psalms 34:17-18). Furthermore, I am a blessed because I am peace maker (Mathew 5:9). When I mourn, I am comforted (Mathew 5:4). Yes, the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one (2Thessalonians 3:3). In the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies’ round about me: therefore, will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord (psalms 27: 5-7). So yes, taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him. (psalms 34: 7-8).
THOUGH MY WORLD MAY BE FALLING APART, ANXIETY DOES NOT HAVE TO RULE MY LIFE because my God gives me peace, and not the usual kind of peace that the world gives which says I can only have peace when I control and have everything figured out. God’s peace is evident when my life is perfect and everything seems to be going well, but it still endures and continues to prevail even in the midst of life’s storms when my life is in chaos and it seems like it is falling apart. The kind of peace that does not let my heart be troubled or fearful (John 14:27). Yes, the peace of God, transcends all understanding, and guards my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7). I am never anxious because I cast all my cares on him (1 Peter 5:7). In addition, who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life (Luke 12:25). That is why I am not anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6: 34). Further, my God gives rest to all those who weary and burdened. All I need to do is take His yoke upon me and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart, and He will find rest for my soul. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Additionally, when it comes to want, I have none. Undeniably, though the young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing (psalms 34: 9-10). Yes, because the Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters and refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake (psalms 23: 1-3). Plus, when I ask, I receive; I seek, and I find. I knock and the door will be opened to me (Mathew 7:7-8). My God will meet all my needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 19). I do not have to worry about what I will eat, drink or wear, for my Father knows that I need all these things. You see I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Indeed, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12-13).
Additionally, everywhere I go, the Lord not only goes before me, but is always with me wherever I go (Deuteronomy 31:7-8 and Joshua 1:9). The best part is I do not have to carry the burden of planning my life or try to figure out what tomorrow will hold. My God knows the plans He has for my life. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11). Yes, I do not have to lean on my own understanding, I submit to God, and He makes my paths straight (proverbs 3:5-6). So, I will not let my heart be troubled because I walk with a God who knew me, set me apart and appointed me when I was still in my mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul (Psalms 94:19). So yes, I refuse to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, I present my requests to God (Philippians 4:6). I cast my cares on the Lord because I know He will sustain me; He will never let the righteous fall (Psalm 55: 22). You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (psalms 23:4-6).
WHEN I FEEL SMALL AND WEAK, I can still be strong and courageous in God. I do not have to be afraid or terrified because God will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31: 6). I am like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken and endures forever because I trust in the Lord. (psalms 125:1). The Lord will fight for me; I need only to be still (Exodus 14:14). I will not be fearful or anxious because God will strengthen me, He will help me (Isaiah 41:10). Actually, the joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8: 10). When I pass through the waters, God is with me; and when I pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over me. When I walk through the fire, I will not be burned; the flames will not set me ablaze (Isiah 43:2). Indeed, in the name of Jesus Christ even demons submit. Christ has given me authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm me (Luke10:17-19) Because I fear the Lord, the angel of the Lord encamps around me and delivers me. (Psalms 34:7). I may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers me from them all. The Lord will help me and strengthen me, and will deal with anyone who opposes me or is my enemy. (Isiah 41:10-13) No one will be able to stand against me all the days of my life because God will be with me as He was with Moses (Joshua 1:5). Even when I am weak, I am strong. Thus, I am happy when I am weak because then I feel the protection of Christ’s power over me (2 Corinthians 12:9). Furthermore, the spirit that God has given me does not make me timid, instead it fills me with power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). In addition, I will renew my strength. I will soar on wings like eagles; I will run and not grow weary; I will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Further, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13), and I have a helper who is my comforter, my advocate, intercessor, counsellor my teacher (John 14:26).
WHEN FEAR TRIES TO HUNT ME DOWN, I will refuse to participate, I will not be dismayed, for He is my God; He will strengthen me, He will help me, He will uphold me with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). When I am afraid, I put my trust in Him (Psalm 56: 3). Certainly, I will be strong and courageous. I will not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord my God goes with me; He will never leave me nor forsake me; the Lord your God himself will fight for me. (Deuteronomy 31: 6 and 3: 22). I know that the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (psalms 27:1-2). Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (psalms 23:4). For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy1:7). God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, I will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging (Psalm 46:1-3).I will not let my heart be troubled because I walk with a God who knew me, set me apart and appointed me when I was still in my mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). Thus, when the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock (Psalm 27:3-5). In fact, the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them (Psalm 34: 7) Furthermore, I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears (Psalms 34: 4). So yes, I do not have to be afraid; I just have to believe in Jesus Christ (Mark 5:36). 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. (1 John 4: 18). Thus, I will not be afraid; I will not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8). I will not fear for God has redeemed me; He has called me by name; I am His (Isaiah 43:1).So for those with fearful hearts, be strong, do not fear; my God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you ( Isaiah 35:4).
WHEN I FEEL ALONE AND FORGOTTEN, I DO NOT HAVE TO BELIEVE MY FEELINGS BECAUSE I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT EVEN when my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (psalms 27:10). I will never be an orphan because my God will never leave me (John 14:18). My God has made the heaven and the earth by His great power and stretched out arm, really is there anything that can be too hard for Him? (Jeremiah 32:17). He will never leave nor forsake me. (Joshua 1:5). The Lord will be with me wherever I go (Joshua 1: 9); He is always with me watching over me. In fact, He will not leave me until He has done what He promised me (Genesis 28:15). The lord will never forsake me; He will not abandon His heritage (Psalms 94:14). I am never alone, those who are for me are more than those who come against me. I come surrounded by horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:15-18). Yes, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (psalms 23:6). No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).
THE BEST PART IS THAT WE WIN: I cannot lose! The system is rigged, we win! Nothing is too difficult for my God (Jeremiah 32: 27). Yes, the Lord will make me the head, not the tail. Because I pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God I will always be at the top, never at the bottom (Deuteronomy 28:13). In fact, no temptation has to overtake me. God is faithful, and He will not let me be tempted beyond my ability, and He will always provide the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Indeed, I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6). Indeed, I cannot lose, not as long as I walk with God. All things whether good or bad in my life work together for good (Romans 8:28). Basically, even when I lose, I win. So even though I am suffering now, it is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day (2 Timothy 1:12). Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Additionally, we do not even have to fear Satan or evil spirits; rather, the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4: 4). Unquestionably, God has given us authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm me (Luke 10: 19). Even death cannot defeat me, it has no power over me as I have eternal life. This is because my God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Furthermore, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under my feet (Romans 16:20). It is written that in the final battle Satan will be defeated again and thrown into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20: 1-10). Yes, thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).