Mightier than all.

Crime news usually doesn't sit well with me so I make it a point not to watch or read about it. For all that, one of my friends was telling us about an unthinkable crime that happened in her hometown, and somehow, having known more details than I could help, I kept on thinking about it. It affected me in the most surprising way that brushing the thought off didn't lift the fear that was subtly building up within me. 

There may be a lot of things we fear or dislike to see. Although mine are limited to just snakes (of any kind), creepy crawlies (only when startled), and anything slimy, the story I heard got me so distressed. Normally, there is nothing I enjoy more than long walks on late Saturday afternoons (which I often find time to do in the midst of paper pictures to cut out for Sunday School the next day), but I found myself recoiling at the thought of walking along my usual route. It was a strange, new feeling for me. Alas, I had unwittingly yet foolishly let the devil’s lies disrupt my inner peace. I had to ask forgiveness from the Lord, allowing Him to wash and renew my mind and once more bask in this peace that only He can bring. 

Fear, they say, is human nature. But if we as children of the Most High God live and wallow in fear that proceeds from unbelief or distrust of our Father, we sin against Him. Our actions no longer agree with the faith we profess. True, we live in a world plagued by crime and lawlessness; issues escalate to new heights when we heed what the media bombards us with. But as what Leonard Ravenhill said (one of my favorite quotes), “What does it mean to be a Christian? Your life is hid with Christ. You are bought with a Price; you are no longer your own. You have no time of your own, no money of your own…Christ must become your complete Master.” That simply means God did not call me to spend my time worrying about what the media is feeding me and joining in the world’s panic. I should be about my Father’s business, truly believing that when He wants me to answer a specific need, He is more than able to bring me directly to it. 

If we allow, even for a brief moment, thoughts that are not of God to take the place of what His Truth says, fear will subtly build within us and cripple us to live far from victory. No wonder the promise of perfect peace comes with one condition: our mind must stay on Him (Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”) Amid the perils of this world, we can still say with confidence: “The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, NIV). “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) 

Notice how a desert flower thrives and stands out so much against the red earth of the desert. We will be immovable in this dangerous world, just like a flower in a parched land. We are ambassadors of the Most High God, and “no weapon forged against us shall prevail” (Isaiah 54:17). “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life.” (Psalm 121:7) Oh, the richness of God’s promises in His Word. They are indeed, more precious than diamonds.

Here’s an excerpt on Gladys Aylward’s slight detour through Russia before arriving in China in the 1900s: “One night an aggressive man from the hotel staff came to my room and made clear his intention to take advantage of me and also meaning to seize my passport. I boldly replied, “God is here. Touch me, and you will see.  He has put a barrier between you and me. Go!”  At that, the man immediately fled.”

May you have the boldness and confidence today and always, because of Who you are living for. Bless!