“Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you; don’t be anxious, because I am your God. I keep on strengthening you; I’m truly keeping you. I’m surely upholding you with my victorious right hand.” Isa.41:10
Why would ALMIGHTY GOD assures us that we are to “fear not” if we live in HIS favour? It is because our FATHER knows that we will be faced with CHALLENGES and DIFFICULTIES that will try our FAITH , but not rob us of our favour with HIM.
Even though the trials that will surely come our way, ALMIGHTY GOD adds benefits daily that help us turn those ADVERSITIES into VICTORIES.
Can you hear the FATHER and HIS angels leaning over the balcony of heaven shouting ENCOURAGEMENT, urging you ONWARD my child, reminding you that it is WHO you know and Whose you are? Beloved, don’t hesitate to pray for GOD’S favour…. for yourself, your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your extended families, and your friends.
Then, as Jesus did, walk before the FATHER in INTEGRITY, in OBEDIENCE, and in FAITH. Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Cor.6:2 of ALMIGHTY GOD’S WORD to HIS children: “In the time of MY FAVOUR I heard you, and in the day of SALVATION I helped you.”
My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exo.33:14
Judges 6 relates the story of Gideon, a man who was basically a wimp! When we first meet Gideon in this chapter, he is hiding in fear from the Midianites in order to thresh wheat ? for his family. And yet when the ANGEL of the LORD approached Gideon, his greeting in verse 12 was, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valour!” Gideon questioned GOD’S choice of a deliverer;
O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's ? house Jugdes 6:15.
Even in his own eyes, Gideon was not a “mighty man of valour.” He was pretty sure ALMIGHTY GOD could not use him for anything, much less something that required boldness! He viewed his life as one without the POWER and PRESENCE of ALMIGHTY GOD. Apparently, he had not heard the totality of what the Angel had said in verse 14, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the ✋ hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
Gideon was slow to warm up to the idea of being a mighty man of valour, to be the one chosen of GOD to engage the Midianite army in battle. He could not comprehend that GOD wanted him for the task at hand, but he had two things in his favour: GOD’S POWER and PRESENCE.
Beloved, believe in and accept GOD’S POWER and PRESENCE, and you, too, can become a mighty man or woman of VALOUR!
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your GOD, HE is the ONE WHO goes with you. HE will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deut.31:6
When ALMIGHTY YAHWEH called him to lead the Israelites to freedom, Gideon finally chose to obey, only because of GOD’S assurance that he was the man for the job. He quietly issued a call for the people to gather and was astonished when 32,000 showed up! But ALMIGHTY YAHWEH had a different plan, one that would further challenge Gideon’s dependence on HIM. Imagine his dismay when GOD told Gideon the army was too large and instructed that it it be pared to a mere 300 troops.
The men were divided into three companies of 100 each and spread around the perimeter of the Midianite camp. At the appointed time, they were to blow their ? ?? trumpets, smash their lamps, and yell, “The?️ sword of the LORD and of Gideon” Judges 7:20b
When the cacophony of noise awoke the Midianites, they were seized with panic and fled before the army of the LORD. Gideon pursed the enemy until it was vanquished. He could have walked away from GOD’S plan at any time. However, Gideon chose to believe that the POWER and PRESENCE of YAHWEH were GREATER than the multitude of the Midianite militia.
Beloved, that is the same ASSURANCE you and I have in ALMIGHTY GOD’S PROMISES and HIS WORD TODAY. Please make every effort to fit into ALMIGHTY GOD’S PLAN today by following HIS COMMANDMENTS.
The eternal GOD is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27
Storms most assuredly do come to us even though we would much prefer that ALMIGHTY GOD hold them at bay. However, “Sometimes God calms the storm; sometimes HE lets the storm rage and calms HIS child.”
When Moses and the children of Israel departed Egypt, the people had experienced first-hand YAHWEH’S defence during plaque after plaque. Finally, they were on their way to the promised Land. After six days on their journey, the Israelites faced yet another problem: a sea of water before them and an army of Egyptians in their rearview mirror. They were figuratively between the devil and the deep blue Sea!
In abject fear, they chided Moses for not leaving them in Egypt as slaves. Moses assured them that YAHWEH would protect HIS children.
"Do not be afraid. Stand, and see the SALVATION of the LORD, which HE will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace" Exo.14:13-14
Beloved, we must remember that YAHWEH has a plan and to trust in HIM and soon we will see the end of the pandemic
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Prov.18:10
From the time ALMIGHTY GOD led the people out of bondage, HE had guided and protected them with a ☁️ cloud by day a pillar?fire by night. As the multiplied hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children bedded down for the night, the cloud shifted from before them for direction to behind them for protection. It became a veil of darkness to the Egyptians and huge nightlight for the Israelites.
As sleep settled in over the multitudes, a strong East wind began to blow so that when morning dawned, a thoroughfare of dry ground could be seen stretching from one side of the RED SEA to the other. As the call went out to move forward between the towering walls of water, the Israelites moved toward SAFETY from the Egyptian army.
Soon, Pharaoh’s troops realized what was happening- their slaves were escaping- and set out in pursuit, but YAHWEH had another surprise in store for the mighty army as the walls of water closed over the them.
Just as Moses had favour with ALMIGHTY GOD, which came from WALKING and COMMUNING with his HEAVENLY FATHER, so did Jesus. That favour SHARPENED by RELATIONSHIP and FELLOWSHIP.
All we must do is dwell securely in the “SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH.” and protection and favour with ALMIGHTY GOD will be ours as HIS Beloved children.
SHALOM
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