So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.—Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
This verse from Deuteronomy really spoke to my heart last night and gave me the impetus to talk with God about my fears and ask Him for His help in being strong and courageous.
Beloved…God is so good. As I began praying, the Spirit of God graciously uncovered the root of all my anxious thoughts. As He did, my eyes brimmed with tears at the Lord’s tender-hearted love and kind desire to be my help. He reminded me through His word that any strength and courage I have are His and not mine. I didn’t have to listen to my feeling of fear because He had promised me in His word to not only go “personally” ahead of me as I walk through this world, but also that He would never fail me nor would He ever abandon me.
I don’t know about you, but I REALLY like those promises and want to be reminded of them often. Last night, as I pieced out each of them from Deuteronomy 31:6, my heart filled with the courage. At that moment I was able to do what was right despite how I felt because God’s word had strengthened and righted my heart. Truly, the word of the Lord is right and all His work is done in truth!
So did I go to sleep last night set free from fear and miraculously cured of all my anxious thoughts? Not exactly. But here is what did happen. God was my help, my strength, and my song. Each and every time my heart wavered, the Spirit of God reminded me not to be afraid or to panic, but to instead put off fear by dwelling on the promises found in Deuteronomy 31:6. He would personally go before me. He would never fail me nor would He ever abandon me.
The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
And will say, 'Destroy!'—Deuteronomy 33:27
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."—John 6:29
I asked the Lord last night for a good thing. His will for me comes from His word. It is clear He does not want me to be afraid. I can learn how to be strong and courageous by looking at my Jesus. He can teach me to take courage and obey my Father in heaven even when I feel scared and the way is difficult. His perfect love will cast out my fear.
Day by day…moment by moment…He will complete the good work He started in me so many years ago. I will look to Him and be radiant, my face unashamed. Because He is at my right hand, I will never be moved.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."—Matthew 11:28-30
The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;—Exodus 15:2
'I will go before you
And make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze
And cut the bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden riches of secret places,
That you may know that I, the LORD,
Who call you by your name,
Am the God of Israel.—Isaiah 45:2-3
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.—Psalm 23:6
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.—Psalm 139:5
