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Do Not Be Frightened
Andrea Lende • January 13, 2021
Philippians 1:28
Do Not Be Frightened
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Do-Not-Be-Fightened-eou8ht
Philippians 1:28
“And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.”
Such a great message for all of us in these days and times.
As I was listening to a speaker today, I heard her say the words global pandemic.
I was struck with the thought that I don’t even think much about COVID being a global pandemic anymore.
I don’t constantly roll it over in my mind.
It just is what it is.
Life has become a new normal.
And then a new normal is happening to replace the old new normal.
That being said, we need to give ourselves grace.
Grace for not accomplishing as much as we had hoped during our day.
Grace for emotions that run high.
Grace for loss, sadness, and desperation during these times.
And certainly, grace for one another.
Our homes have become different places to be as our spaces are invaded by a multitude of activities.
We have had to learn to live, work, recreate, and be enriched spiritually at home.
We go on recreating, improving, and redirecting our activities and spaces to function as needed.
And if all of that were not enough, there seems to be constant chaos happening in our world.
I find if I set my focus on what is happening in the external world, it can be a bridge too far for my brain and heart to comprehend.
Anxiety sets in.
And if I let it, fear can consume me.
Paul said, “do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything”.
We must keep our focus on the Lord now more than ever.
He is our Constant in an ever-changing world.
He is our Rock.
He is our Strength.
He is our Salvation.
Only He can protect us.
Only He can provide for us.
Only He can lead us into His perfect plan.
Today I choose to rely on the Lord to care for me and will keep my eyes on Him rather than on the chaos of this world.
May you find the Lord will care for you in every way and will fight your adversaries for you as you remain strong in Him.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me that You are my Keeper. Thank You for reminding me to stand strong in You and not be frightened or intimidated by the adversaries against me. Whether in the physical or spiritual realm, my opponents cannot stand in Your presence. They will be held at bay as You fight the fight on my behalf. Thank You for caring for me in every way. Thank You for working out every circumstance of my life. Thank You for being my Strength and my Song. You put a song in my heart as You win the battles I face. May Your Spirit fully envelope mine. May Your Spirit breathe new life in me as I continue with the tasks of today. Help me do Your will, Lord. Help me do all that You have for me to do. Lead and guide every step I take and guard my mouth, so I express myself with Your Spirit. May my words be Your words that breathe life into all those around me. May I build up instead of tear down. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM the Lord your God, and I will take care of you.
Response: Thank You for taking care of me, Lord.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.