I was on a conference call the other day, and as we always do, we shared prayer requests and prayed before we ended the call. One of the people on the call shared that they were going on a trip, on a plane, and they were afraid of flying. I was asked to pray and opened my heart to receive the Word from the Spirit. I was reminded of Psalm 139.
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:7-10
Are there places or things where you must go or do and you are afraid? Has God asked you to go or do and you were fearful? Anxious that by going or doing you would be vulnerable to risks – health, wealth, possession, relationships? Do you believe what God’s Word says is truth? It is easy to say “Amen”, or for most of us, just think it but never say it out loud, on Sunday morning. Amen means “so be it”. If you don’t believe it, if you don’t have faith in its veracity, then you won’t act on it. You won’t do it, and even if you do, your heart will be full of fear and doubt.
God does not give us direction and then leave us to it. He is always present, but we are not always aware of His presence nor are we confident of His sovereignty over all things at all times. That kind of living and thinking is not just reserved for the few “super Christians”. It is a gift to all Christians.
“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” — Matthew 8:24-26
Jesus was with them, physically, visibly, and yet they were afraid of the circumstances they were facing – as if He was not in the boat with them. If I may restructure Jesus words, “You were afraid because you lack faith.” He is the master of the sea – billows His will obey. (Love Lifted Me, James Rowe and Howard Smith) I know that many people disagree with me about whether or not we should pray for “Traveling Mercies”. It is just that traveling anywhere on any conveyance at any time offers no more risk than driving in Houston traffic or going to Walmart. We are fearful because we lack faith. For the Christian, we must “trust and obey for there is no other way.” (Trust and Obey, John H. Sammis)
Talking with a friend yesterday, he shared that he feels that he is at what Dr. Henry Blackaby would call a crisis of belief. The Lord is leading him to a place that might upset is natural world – income and all of the comforts and amenities that comes with it. He is in a boat in a storm that strikes fear in his heart. He is being challenged in his devotion. It is easy to believe God when your physical needs are being met. It is quite another when you are in the midst of a storm and your life or way of life is at risk.
“I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” – Psalm 37:25
King David’s words. Paraphrased – God is trustworthy – Why be downcast oh my soul, put your hope in God. Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? If you do, you can face the storm and lean into it. You can say “Yes” to God and lay fear aside.
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” – Jude 24-25
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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