Friday, August 17, 2007

Do not be Afraid

This is the explanation in my study bible, The Power of a Praying Woman Bible, which I like to share with you, especially those of you who wonder why God has not answered your request.

Deuteronomy 1:19-30, “See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 1:21)

Many of the people listening to these words had spent 40 long years in the desert. Their parents had stood at this very spot decades earlier, but they had let their fears overwhelm them. In punishment for that blatant lack of faith, God gave that generation a death sentence: “Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times – not one of them will ever see the land I promised on the oath to their forefathers” (Numbers 14:22-23). The nation wandered until all the rebellious people died.

That rebellious generation’s children now stood poised at the same spot. And what was Moses’ message to them? He recounted what had gone before. He told the story of their parents’ rebellion and lack of faith. They needed to hear and understand. Would they enter and possess the land in full confidence of God’s promises? God said to them what He had said to their parents, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Walking into a closer relationship with God can be like entering your own personal promised land. You know it’s a good place, but it’s still filled with unknowns. Following Jesus does not mean life is going to be easy. You will still have giants to battle, territory to claim, and work to do. But God says regarding your journey with Him, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” And the reason is because “the Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you.”

You see, He already knows the unknowns. He knows about the giants. He has the battle plan. All you need to do is continually look to Him in prayer and follow His lead.

I agree with what this author has said above, because that is what I encountered in my walk with Lord Jesus. Praise the Lord! Amen!

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