Monday Morning Devotion #258

This Week's Focal Passage:

"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. We love Him because HE first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV)

Strong's:
Fear #5401 phobos = to be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror
Love #26 agape = affection, benevolence, dear, love
Perfect #5046 teleios = complete, completeness
Perfect #5048 teleioo = accomplish, fulfill, make perfect
Casts #906 ballo = throw down, to thrust
First #4413 protos = foremost in time, place, order or importance; before, beginning, best

About a year ago, my pastor lovingly confronted me on my sin of fear. He had noticed that my life seemed to be driven by fear. Everything I did was rooted in trying to control my surroundings so I would not experience pain. This "fear" was evident in every aspect of my life…My relationship with other people, the well-being of my children, my need to "control" events in our marriage and basically in life in general. I know I have shared this with you previously, but allow me to simply state that I was truly not aware of this sin. I was actually shocked when he mentioned it me.

Throughout the following weeks, the Lord began to open my eyes to this truth and show me in His Word why fear was a sin and how it affects the very nature of my relationship with Him. You see, there is no room for fear in the life of a believer. Fear stems from not trusting/believing God. I said I trusted God and I could quote Scripture supporting that truth, but deep within the secret places of my heart, I did not trust God. "The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And HE knows those who trusts in Him." (Nahum 1:7) "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father". (Romans 8:15) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

This past week, our nation elected a new president. For those whose heart is to preserve the standards which God's Word established, our prayer seemed to go unheard. As I laid down Tuesday night, I found myself having a very difficult time resting. I cried out to the Lord and asked, "Why, Lord? Your children have prayed, confessed and repented of our sins, and asked You to establish our next president as a man who stands for those things that You command." In the stillness of the night, the Lord God comforted me with His Truth. HE spoke to my heart and reassured me that His children are called to obedience and HE is the Author of the days, the outcome of all things are by His perfect design. HE promises to bless our obedience ("Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you." Jeremiah 7:23) and that HE hears and answers the prayer of the righteous ("Then you will call upon Me and go to pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13) His Word also promises us that HE is the One who sets the kings of this world in position and that HE is sovereign and nothing happens without His permission. "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgement and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7) "And HE changes the times and the seasons; HE removes kings and raises up kings; HE gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding." (Daniel 2:21) "…That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever HE will And sets over it the lowest of men." (Daniel 4:17) "…until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever HE chooses." (Daniel 4:25, 32 & 5:21)

My Friend, the children of God have no reason to fear, even when things appear to be spiraling out of control. God is love (1 John 4:8) and HE loves us with an everlasting love. As we studied last week, everything God does is rooted, established and executed through that love. God did not ignore our prayers. HE did not forget about us. HE was not surprised by the outcome of the election, nor is HE surprised by any trial/circumstance/event that occurs in our lives. HE designs our days and HE orchestrates the events in our lives to bring glory to Himself and to establish our good.
God will use this time in history to teach us more about Himself. We simply need to trust in the Lord God to be who HE promises HE is.

Certainly, we cannot ignore that Scripture is unfolding and all heaven and earth is anticipating Christ Jesus' return. Scripture is true and the end is getting closer with every passing day. What a joy that will be when we hear Christ shout and turn to see Him coming into our presence in all His glory. Everyone, no matter what they claim to believe or not believe, WILL bow their knees in complete surrender and worship of Him who is and was and always will be!!! (Romans 14:11) Christ Jesus will establish His kingdom and call His children to Himself. Our focus at this time must be to come before the Lord God in complete repentance and submission. Allowing His blood to wash over us, cleansing us from all unrighteousness. When we come humbly before the Lord God, we are changed, a new creation in Christ Jesus. Our primary focus will be to live a life worthy of our Lord and to lead others to the cross so they will have the opportunity to surrender their lives to Him who is able to forgive all sin, heal all wounds, and restore us completely to Himself.

Read our focal passage once more. "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. We love Him because HE first loved us." (1 John 4:18-19) In this verse, God promises that His perfect/complete love completes us. His love accomplishes its purpose and upholds us in times of trouble and in times of peace. When a child of God is residing in His perfect love, no fear can reside with us. His love casts out fear and establishes us in Himself. HE is our fulfillment, our comfort, our peace, our hope, our sustainer, our refuge, our life and our very breath.

My Friend, no matter what you are facing today, trust in the Lord. Seek Him above all else. Ask Him to search your heart and know your anxious thoughts. Allow Him to reveal to you what you need to confess and repent and then do that immediately. Trust the Lord to be exactly who His Word promises HE is. Allow Him to wash over you and heal you from the past and/or the present. As children of God, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. We are no longer prisoners of sin. We can walk freely and intimately with our Lord. May that be the prayer of our hearts this week. May we love Him and trust Him alone.

Your Sister in Christ,
Michelle Jones
November 10, 2008
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