This is my birthday week and doing this time I always do a lot of soul searching, such as how far I have come and where I am going. I reflect on the good times and how blessed I am. I also think about all the challenges and the storms that God has brought me through, and I can’t help but thank Him and give him praise! Whenever I felt I was alone, He reminded me that He was there. There have been times I was ready to give up, but He wouldn’t let me. Honestly, when I look back and think about all what could have happened, what should have happened, my soul cries out with so much gratitude. We all fight battles of some sort in this life. But God has already won every battle we will ever face. The Bible tells us that we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loves us. I have learned that through every trial; we must keep our focus on God and always believe what His Word says more than we believe our doubts and fears. Did I say our fears? Yes I did. Believe me, I love to proclaim faith over fear, I wear the t-shirt. However sometimes fear is right there, neck to neck with faith. And it is ok as long as we don’t let the fear win. How we do that is to stay focused on God. Whatever the challenge or problem, God has the answer, and He will calm our fears. So if we panic, it’s ok. We just need to do as King Jehoshaphat and seek God in our panic.
King Jehoshaphat and the small tribe of Judah were besieged on all fronts by three powerful armies rapidly advancing toward Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 20). The situation looked hopeless. When Jehoshaphat was informed, his first reaction was fear! I’m so glad that the Word of God gives us an authentic description of who Jehoshaphat was. This lets us know that King Jehoshaphat, who was faithful and a courageous warrior, was also capable of fear, he panicked. He was just like you and I, human. But what set Jehoshaphat apart was that even when he was fearful, the very first thing he did was to “set himself to seek the Lord” We must learn to do the same whenever we are fearful, instead of spiraling deeper into panic mode and accepting defeat. Fear leaves us open for the enemies suggestions. This is why we must set ourselves to seek the Lord and hear only His voice when we are frightened or feeling overwhelmed. We learn by Jehoshaphat’s situation that it’s all right to experience fear from time to time. God doesn’t condemn us when we are afraid. Look how He showed up and showed out for King Jehoshaphat!
If you have been told that the believers life is easy and life is going to be a bed of roses, as my mama would say, “ you green,” which means you don’t know anything and have been lied to. No matter how faithful we are, life can throw some rocks, and sometimes huge ones! You look around and see others who seem to not care about Jesus, and they doing great, or so we think. I understand it’s easy to get discouraged. But we must remember that there is a war going on. In war, we should expect opposition. Our enemy hates us. However, take heart because the enemy is already defeated. He knows this but of course he will keep trying. If you have sincerely given yourself to Jesus, there is no permanent harm the devil can do to you! We may have to walk through some difficulties, but we can stand strong in faith, because we know how the story ends! We have the victory! Love and Blessings…
“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” (2 Chronicles 20:3)
“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)
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39)
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
EMMANUEL 