Whisper Back! - Fearless, Day 29

But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.  Deuteronomy 7:18

Testimonies are the stories of what God has done for His people. Remembering the faithfulness of God in the past is one of the greatest antidotes to fear in the present. When circumstances press in, crowding you with fear, stop and recount what you have seen God do in the past. The faithfulness of the past gives life to the promises for the future.

Now, if you don’t think you have any personal stories of God working on your behalf, I’d like to make a couple of suggestions. First, take moment and look harder. Just because you didn’t recognize it at the time doesn’t mean God wasn’t there, working and moving. Also, it’s never too late to start building a testimony. Begin today by trusting God with small steps of faith. Obedience releases the power of God! And, every time you see His faithfulness on your behalf, your faith is built, and a testimony is born. Then, the next time something big threatens to overwhelm and fear begins to whisper in your ear, you’ll have a collection of stories to remember and whisper back.

For Reflection: Where have you personally observed the faithfulness of God? What small steps of faith could you take today to build testimonies for tomorrow?

Lord, You have been so good to me! Thank You for the many ways You have displayed Your love and faithfulness. When I am tempted with fear, help me to remember the good things You have done. As I remember Your powerful intervention in my past, I have hope for the future, and I am not afraid!

You are His! Fearless, Day 28

​But now, this is what the LORD says, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”    Isaiah 43:1-2

You don’t need to be afraid because you are His. The Creator of all things wants you! In fact, He gets downright possessive about it! And here lies the secret…it’s not who you are, but whose you are that is the foundation of fearlessness.

Stop and consider…in love, the Almighty formed you. When sin enslaved you, He sent His Son, Jesus, to buy back your freedom. He invites you, by name (Yes, God knows your name!), into relationship with Him. And then, as if that weren’t enough, our God promises to be with you—leading, protecting, and providing—every single day!

So, what was it that you were afraid of?

Repeat after me: “I am His. He is with me, no fear!”

For Reflection: Which is more challenging for you to believe: God will or God can? How does God’s possessiveness of you impact your thinking?

Lord, I thank You for going to such great lengths to display how much You love and desire relationship with me. Forgive me for the times I’ve taken You for granted. I was created to be Yours, and it is in You that my heart is made whole. I am not afraid, because You are my Father and You are with me always!

Only God is God - Fearless, Day 27

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  Genesis 50:19

Am I in the place of God?

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, and now, many years later, God had elevated him to the 2nd most powerful position in Egypt. After the death of their father, Jacob, the brother’s fear of retaliation was understandable. (If you don’t know Joseph’s story, it’s a great read, found in the last 14 chapters of Genesis!)

But Joseph’s question reveals the secret of his own, amazing response to cruel and unfair circumstances. He never forgot that slave traders, slave owners, and even Kings are not God.

Only God is God!

Imagine their surprise when his brothers heard Joseph say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” (Gen. 50:20-21)

He had been in God’s hands the whole time. And he reminded them that they were now in God’s hands, not his.

You’re in God’s hands. Don’t be afraid.

For Reflection: When you think about the future of your family, your career, or even our country, where are you tempted to be afraid? How do things like news and talk radio impact your “fear quotient”? Does remembering that God is in control change the way you feel? Why or why not?

Lord, I love You, and I trust You. It’s so easy to look at circumstances and forget that You alone are God. No company, leader, or government will determine my future or destiny. Help me to keep my eyes on You. No matter what the news says, my life is in Your hands. Help me not to fear!