'Do not fear, little flock, forit is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom'.
(Luke 12:32 NKJV)
Fear, the child of doubt and anxiety, is around the corner ready to attack our securities and to put serenity to flight, to the point of freezing our faith. There is no lack of difficult situations for various reasons to deal with, and from the heart surrounded by bonds, assailed by roughness and reached by pain, the psalmist's cry is being raised: "O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!" (Psalm 116:4). Whatever the situation of disturbance and anguish, the certainty of the work done by Christ pushes us to pray confidently of a supernatural intervention, because God has an ear to our listening and reassures us: "Do not be afraid". He is not deaf towards those who turn to him. For this reason, whatever the circumstance, even when the extent of pain seems to overwhelm you, let the invocation rise with confidence: "Lord, free me". Scripture clearly testifies that God is merciful, compassionate, and just, and does not quench the smoking wick. He will not remain indifferent to your situation. May this meditation be a torch of hope and encouragement for every believer who, in every time and in every place, finds himself experiencing evil in every form it presents itself.
The apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthians thus: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). Affirming and realizing the truth of Christ's victory is a fundamental step in living under the banner of the Gospel. In Christ's death and resurrection every believer was quickened with him and is now seated with him in heavenly places, as written in the Ephesians. Unfortunately, some struggle perpetually against areas of slavery, because they have never been able to discover clearly who they are "in Christ" and the value of Jesus' sacrifice. The apostle Paul exhorted in the well-known "hymn of victory": "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Although aware of the constant proximity of death, and that we are experiencing a transitory journey towards eternity, it is sometimes difficult to have one's eyes on the "final prize". Victory, in fact, is always the result of a struggle, and there are still battles to fight! Strange as it may seem, we sometimes have the ability to limit the action of the Spirit in our life so that He cannot do what He would like, leaving us overwhelmed by discouragement. Here then is that in some circumstances it is appropriate to resist "steadfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9).
Jesus warned the disciples against persecution against them, since in the face of the persecutions that would hit them it would have been possible to yield to fear and despair. He himself assured them and us: “These things I have spoken to you, thatin Me you may have peace.In the world youwill have tribulation; but be of good cheer,I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our security does not lie in trying to protect ourselves from the dangers that threaten our faith, but in having faith in the victory of Christ who gives us peace, courage and audacity, allowing us to face even the most severe trials. Our Father was pleased to give us the kingdom, and with it all we need, "through Him who loved us". Although this might appear presumption, in faith there is no presumption. What is the use of begging from God for something we already have in Christ Jesus? Let us make his victory our own and proclaim it!
Weekly Bible Reading
Plan # 43
October 18, Isaiah 53-55; 2 Thessalonians 1
October 19, Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2
October 20, Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3
October 21, Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1
October 22, Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2
October 23, Jeremiah 1-2; 1 Timothy 3
October 24, Jeremiah 3-5; 1 Timothy 4
Photo by Bryan Wintersteen, www.freeimages.com