Good morning glorious ones!
With all the bad news we hear about today, much of the world is living in fear. News broadcasts eagerly tell us about the latest “doomsday reports”. Some people wonder if the end of the world is at hand, and those who aren’t grounded in what the Bible says about this can panic. But, studying God’s Word gives us an eternal perspective, and it’s overwhelmingly good.
If we’re unfamiliar with what God says concerning us, the future can look scary. But He’s the very essence of love, and He offers us encouragement. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says,
- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God said this to His people during a time when they were exiled, when many were afraid and unsure of their future. God’s promise was true then, and is still true now.
Today’s media is quite efficient and precise when it comes to transmitting bad news across the world in a split second, but it’s totally clueless as to how this news affects the human spirit. The perception that evil is advancing onward and will overtake us can be unsettling. God knows exactly what we’re feeling and thinking, and He has some specific promises on this. He tells us in Psalm 91:5-7 (NKJV),
- “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and then thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.”
God won’t let evil touch those who trust Him!
What we’re witnessing now is something Jesus Himself prophesied would happen. The Bible tells us that when we see evil and wickedness intensifying at an alarming level, it is to be expected. We have His reassurance that we don’t need to be afraid. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:6-7 (AMP),
- “You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”
What we constantly think about has a way of manifesting itself in our life, for good or bad. If we study the Word and meditate on it long enough, it’ll change us for good in a powerful way. We’ll be able to face our fears that shut us down, taking authority over each one. Luke 10:19 says,
- Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
This is a radical concept many people can’t comprehend, but it works every time for those who accept this promise by faith. So, no matter what it looks like, sounds like, or seems like, we can boldly move forward in confidence when we believe what the Word of God tells us. By deeply studying God’s Word, we learn that He is more powerful than fear. 1 John 4:18 declares,
- There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
When we walk in love, we SHUT DOWN THE ENEMY.
Casting down imaginations,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church