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Series Intro: The Lord is My Light

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This month, the DoNotDepart blog will be exploring the Light of God in a series titled, “The Lord is My Light.” Join us as we reflect on light, from the beginning of both Genesis the Gospel of John through the last chapters of Revelation.

I know, I know.
This beautiful passage is so familiar that it’s easy to read through it quickly.
But humor me, slow down, and take it in for a minute, letting it sink in at the pace of poetry.

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
(John 1:1-4, emphasis mine)

With this passage, John introduces his Gospel in parallel to the creation narrative of Genesis, which also begins with light and its distinction from darkness:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.”
(Genesis 1:1-4, emphasis mine)

With these two “beginnings” God reveals so much to us about Who He is and what our world is like. Just skimming the surface, I see that:

  • God the Father, the Son (the Word), and the Holy Spirit have been from the very beginning.
  •  Light entered the world through the spoken, creative word of God …
  • … and also through the life within Christ.
  • The presence of light in our world does not (yet) mean the absence of darkness.
  • The darkness has been separated from the light.
  • Light shines in the darkness, and light is victorious. “Darkness has not overcome it.”

That fourth statement sits particularly heavy with me today: The presence of light in our world does not (yet) mean the absence of darkness.

While the Bible beautifully depicts light and all the character of God and freedom for us that light embodies, the Bible also graphically depicts darkness. And you know what strikes me as weird? I somehow find that comforting. Because I see the darkness around me. We all see the darkness around us. That the Bible also depicts the darkness that remains all around us is somehow validating and grounding to me.

Horrors of war, like those depicted in the book of Habakkuk, rage on around the globe.
Just last week a dear friend shared with me some of her childhood experiences, and frankly, I had not truly understood that things that evil happen around here. It is too much for words. The darkness around us is far darker than I generally perceive. Sometimes, it threatens to overwhelm.

And yet that darkness is neither uncontested nor victorious. The light shines in the darkness, and darkness has not overcome it.

As we live in this “already” and also “not yet” age in which Christ has come incarnate, defeated death, and risen victorious, our world still spins in alternating darkness and light, day and night. We know that one day, the light will shine so brilliantly from the Son, the Lamb of God, that night will be no more (Revelation 21:23-25).  In the meanwhile, we enter places of darkness with the light of Christ, participating in the still-raging battle between the two with the hopeful assurance of victory.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?
(Psalm 27:1)

Join me in prayer and worship, declaring Christ’s victory over darkness:

 

Psalm 27: Your face, Lord, I will seek

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Psalm 27
During a recent season of anxiety and uncertainty, my family began reading a Psalm aloud together each evening. For about six weeks, we read Psalm 27 together every day.

Psalm 27:1-3

I found in Psalm 27 a guide of words that acknowledge the presence of a threat but also declare truth and assert faith and hope. Verses 1-3 give us this truth: Any powers coming against the Lord’s children are ultimately powerless. We are safe, in the deepest sense of the word.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    Yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27:1-3)

The Psalmist David knew this truth not simply by conviction, but also by repeated physical experience experience as far back as his youth. Goliath had threatened his flesh. “ The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field” (1 Samuel 17:44). But David fought Goliath in the name of the Lord — and prevailed. (1 Samuel 17). Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20 tell us that God’s sovereignty prevails regardless of the threats against us.

Psalm 27:4-6

From warfare, the Psalm moves on to devotion. Personally, these words were an important transition, moving my focus away from my fears to re-focus my heart on my Lord.

One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4) 

And in this place of devotion and intimacy, there is both safety and glory:

For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me, (Psalm 27:5-6a)

From safe shelter, our hearts respond in worship:

and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord. (Psalm 27:6b)

Psalm 27:7-12

As I read through this Psalm, I notice the back-and-forth between the Lord’s actions and the Psalmist’s responses. (As someone who loves language, I like to go through the Psalm and circle the subject of each phrase and underline the verbs. Try it!).

Throughout this Psalm we have descriptions of God’s identity and His actions. He is light, salvation, a stronghold, and beautiful. He hides, conceals, and lifts up the Psalmist. Then, there are David’s responses: He does not fear; he will be confident. He asks and seeks, gazes and inquires, shouts and sings. The exchange comes to a pinnacle in this next section:

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
   be gracious to me and answer me!

You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

    Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the Lord will take me in.

Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence. (Psalm 27:7-12)

Psalm 27:13-14

And in conclusion, David focuses his heart on hope, with confident expectation of God’s goodness. In light of God’s power, sovereignty, and protection, courage is well founded.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:13-14)

And there, at “Wait for the Lord,” is where I would rest each night after our evening reading. With those words, I left the day behind and stepped with a little more courage towards the next, in the assurance that the Lord remains my light and salvation.

Dear friends, as we move into whatever is ahead of us, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord, our light and salvation.

Fearful? Anxious? Leap Into the Word!

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(This post, Leap Into the Word, is the first in our series, Take Heart: Responding to Trouble in the World, where we examine how we, as the hands and feet of Jesus, can respond to the fear, anxiety, and trouble the world is facing.)

My two year old grandson, Tripp, stood on top of his tall toy box and yelled, “Ready, Grammie?” In wild excitement, he leapt off the edge. He sailed through the air and plopped into my arms. It took a lot of courage for him to make that jump. He had faith that I would catch him, and I did.

The whole world right now is a little like a slow-motion-version of my grandson sailing through the air. But instead of wild excitement, there’s waiting, watching, suffering, confusion, loss, separation, and fear. We’re living in uncertain times and, sisters, we need courageous faith.

Jaime poses an excellent question in the intro to this series, “How can we, as the hands and feet of Jesus, respond to the fear, anxiety, and trouble the world is facing?”

One way is to leap into God’s Word. As we do, we can learn from the heroes of the faith and be encouraged by God’s might and power.

Feeling Fearful? Anxious? Leap Into the Word #TakeHeart Read more at DoNotDepart.com

Courageous Faith

When the soldiers of King Saul’s army were afraid of Goliath, the giant enemy, David came and said, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26) David was courageous! He boldly told Saul, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37) Yes, David was courageous— because he had great faith in God.

David leapt into action, full of courage and faith, right into God’s will. You and I may feel like we can’t be as courageous as that. Honestly? If we tried to defeat our enemies (suffering, confusion, loss, fears, and so on) all on our own, we’d be like the fear filled soldiers who ran from Goliath. But when our courage is rooted in confidence of God’s ability, it is unshakeable because He is unshakeable! 

Grow Your Confidence

So the question is, how do we grow our confidence in God? It’s simple, really. We read His Word. Again, and again. We immerse ourselves in His truths and promises. God tells us that His Word is living and active and that it will accomplish the purposes for which He sends it out. (Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 55:11)

  • We go to God’s Word to learn the truth about who He is and who we are. 
  • Then, we set our minds on “things above.” (Colossians 3:1). 
  • We “trust in the LORD with all [our] heart, and do not lean on [our] own understanding. In all [our] ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight [our] paths.” (Proverbs 3:5)
  •  And we think of “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, … right…  pure…  lovely…  admirable… excellent…  and praiseworthy.” (Philippians 4:8) 
  • God’s Word tells us that He will “keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you [God], because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) 
  • From our position of peace, we can then replace fear and anxiety with gratitude and thanksgiving. 
  • We can “Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:4b-5) 
  • And, like Peter, if we find ourselves looking at the wind and waves around us, we instead cry out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)

More Good News

Here’s even more good news to focus on! 

  1. God can work with a faith as small as a grain of mustard seed. He can also help our faith grow! (Read Matthew 17:20)
  2. David ultimately points us not to ourselves and our abilities, but to the true champion, Jesus Christ. Yes, it is He who has defeated our greatest enemy, Satan. Though Satan comes to do things like rob us of joy, paralyze us with fear, and destroy our peace and trust, Jesus has come so that we might have abundant life in Him— regardless of our circumstances. (See John 10:10)
  3. Because of Jesus, we can have internal peace, eternal security, and hope during this peace-robbing, uncertain, and hopeless time! He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

It’s true that we may not know what will happen next, but God does. Nothing can surprise the One who holds the future. And we can have confident faith in this: the victorious Father is always there, with strong, loving arms, ready to “catch” His children when we move toward Him in faith.

Let’s be courageous and faithful, sisters. May we all leap into the Word and land in His loving arms today!

How has the Word encouraged you lately? Tell us in the comments or in our Facebook group.

In Christ,
Ali

Fearful? Anxious? Leap Into the Word! Land in His loving arms. #TakeHeart

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Sign Up to Memorize Psalm 91 to Fight Fear of COVID-19

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Fight the Enemy

Are you uncomfortable? A little anxious? Somewhat fearful?

It’s natural for us to feel distressed. With the coronavirus swirling about, we feel uncertain, not knowing where it will land next. Or on who.

But we can know this: We don’t have to live in fear.

We don’t have to “fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday” (Psalm 91:5-6).

Sign up to memorize Psalm 91

16 Verses, 8 Weeks

For eight weeks, we are going to memorize the words of Psalm 91. Through these words, God will remind us that no matter what happens, when we call on Him . . .

  • He will answer.
  • He will be with us in trouble.
  • He will rescue us (Psalm 91:15).

Read all of Psalm 91 here.

Learning two verses a week, we will meditate on truths about God’s faithfulness, power, and strength to stand against whatever large or microscopic enemy comes against us.

Even when that enemy is our own fear.

What You Get When You Sign Up to Memorize Psalm 91

1 – Resources
You’ll receive an email with links to resources to download and print this week to help you memorize each verse.

2 – Weekly Email Reminder
Beginning April 6 and each Monday for 8 weeks throughout the challenge, you’ll get a short email in your inbox reminding you of the week’s verses.

3 – A Shelter in the Storm
God doesn’t promise that you won’t get physically sick and die. But He does offer you spiritual protection, deliverance, and salvation. You and He can work out the meanings of these verses in Psalm 91 in your own life.

Trade Social Distancing for Spiritual Community

We can’t meet in each other’s homes or in person. But we CAN meet in each other’s hearts through the tools of phones and computers.

Get an online spiritual community in this time of social distancing.

Along with a weekly devotional here at the blog, we will gather with our private Facebook group, Hide His Word. Here we’ll discuss insights, memorization tips, prayers, etc. We strongly encourage you to join us there.

The battle for our peace is warring around us. But God is bigger, stronger, and victorious every time.

God is never afraid.

Click here to see the full schedule.

Click here to download this button for your blog or social media.

I am memorizing Psalm 91

Join Us!

Sign up today. [UPDATE: Registration now closed.]

Make the Lord your dwelling place.

 

The Lord is Near

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We’re excited to welcome our guest, Jennifer Hong, whose post today continues our study of Psalm 145 in our Great is the Lord series. Find the full series here. 

I have taught my children not to say “always” and “never.” More specifically, I have advised them to be very careful about using such words when speaking about people or circumstances, as a declaration of absolutes is rarely true.

“You always interrupt me.”

“You never let me have the first turn.”

“We never play the game that I pick.”

These kinds of statements are usually exaggerations and often put someone on the defense. To encourage my children to think carefully before speaking, these words are taboo in our home.

In All His Ways, In All His Works

Maybe it is because absolutes are buzz words in my household that my ears prick uncomfortably at the abundance of the word “all” in Psalm 145. I counted eighteen uses of “all” in twenty-one verses! Then, I read the Psalm again, soaking in the full meaning of each of these great statements.

Though I caution my children against characterizing themselves or others with such broad-sweeping declarative words as “always” and “never,” absolutes can absolutely be applied to God! They are no exaggeration here. God is love (1 John 4:7-10). He is all love, through and through, entirely and always. He is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9).  He is always faithful, forever and ever, into eternity. God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6), and David extols God’s unchanging goodness throughout Psalm 145.

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.” (v. 17)

 

I am struck by the contrast between this statement and my own life, where my flesh still struggles against submission to grace. I try to act righteously, but no one would suggest that I am righteous in all I do. Kindness is my aim, but I have spoken over my children words that hurt. Thank Goodness, the Lord’s ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Because the Lord is righteous and kind in all that He does, I can trust Him, in every circumstance and every season.

The Lord is Near

In verse 18 the Psalm transitions from praising God’s absolute characteristics to extolling our Lord in terms of how He relates to His people — to those who call on Him, fear Him, and love Him. God is responsive. He hears His people’s cries and responds to their needs. This is His righteousness and kindness in action.

Read the following verses and identify the “who,” the recipient of God’s mercy.

 

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” (vv. 18-20)

 

Did you notice that each of the “who” phrases include the word “Him”? The recipients of God’s mercy are identified not by their own character and actions but by their relationship to God. They call on Him. They fear, revere, and honor Him. They love Him.

The Bible also tells us that this relationship was initiated by God. 1 John chapter 4 shows us that the love we receive from God is the very source of our love given in return.

 

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins…. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:10, 19)

 

Do you see how love flows through this beautiful relationship? God loves us, and we respond to His love with trust, reverence, and love. We call to Him with a sincere heart, and He is near. Psalm 145 is David’s great expression of praise, extolling who God is and what He has done. The Lord is near. Let’s lift our voices in praise.

Psalm 145 is David’s great expression of praise, extolling who God is and what He has done. The Lord is near. Let’s lift our voices in praise! #GreatIsTheLord

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For Study and Reflection:

1) Speak or sing God’s praises by reading aloud Psalm 145 or singing a song of praise. Psalm 145 was written millenia ago in the Kingdom of Israel.  O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus was written by Trevor Francis in London in 1835, and Reckless Love by American songwriter Cory Asbury was released last year.  All three declare God’s extravagant love. Lift your voice in praise.

2) How have you seen God’s righteousness or kindness?

3) In what current or recent life circumstances do you need to call on the Lord?

4) Thank God for His faithfulness.

Jennifer lives in Houston with her husband of fourteen years and their four energetic children. Since leaving her pediatric practice seven years ago, she has found life at home to be wild but wonderful. Homeschooling has fueled Jennifer‘s passion for education, driving her deeper into the Word. Her favorite day is Thursday, when her family escapes their urban surroundings to walk in the woods and dig in the dirt. 

Psalm 33:18 – The Eye of the Lord

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Shareable Christian graphic. Psa 33:18 The Eye of the Lord. donotdepart.com

A loving Father always watches His children, ready to help and protect them. He is trustworthy and His love is steadfast.

Thank you, Father, for always keeping your eye on us, your beloved children!

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. (Psa 33:18-22, ESV)

Every day this month the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with Psalm 33:18 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments (be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

A shareable graphic for you! God watches His children with love. Psa 33:18 #SpreadTheWord

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A shareable Scripture graphic each day of April. #SpreadTheWord

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Helping Children Who Fear ~ 5 Bible-Based Tips

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(Quick disclosure: Some affiliate links present. See the bottom of the post for full disclosure. Thank you for supporting this ministry!)

It’s hard to be little. The world can be a scary place even when all seems well to the adults. And lately even most adults I know do not feel like all is well.

Helping Children Who Fear: 5 Bible-Based Tips - DoNotDepart.com

It is so important that we take a Word-based approach when our children fear, because a world-based approach will always disappoint. It would be lying to tell my child that there is nothing to fear. From a purely worldly perspective, my kids’ lives are fraught with dangers, many of which we don’t even contemplate (driven a car lately?)

But I can tell my child not to fear because of who he is in Christ. Because of Who God is. The power of scripture to combat fear is supernatural. God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit!

Here are some of my favorite scriptures on fear…

Verses in the Bible Addressing Fear

“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.” Psalm 56:4

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19 (niv)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Five Word-based ideas for when your child is afraid.

1) Teach children to praise God

Praising God in every circumstance instantly turns our attention off of ourselves and our fears, and onto the only solid and reliable One upon whom we can count. Praise God for Who He is, and for how much He loves us!

“Through (Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15

2) Play scripture out loud

When there is a chronic fear hanging heavy in your home, filling the air with scripture can work wonders for restoring peace. Even now I sometimes find myself needing to bathe my mind in scripture as I fall asleep.

Audio bibles are easy to come by thanks to smart phones (both for iPhone and android.) If you don’t have a smart phone, you can buy an [amazon_link id=”193104743X” target=”_blank” ]audio bible on CD[/amazon_link] or [amazon_link id=”143350295X” target=”_blank” ]on mp3[/amazon_link].

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

3) Help children memorize scriptures

The bible directs us to teach our children the scriptures!

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

You can teach your children some of the specific verses related to fear listed above, but even having basic verses memorized will be a powerful tool in their arsenal against fear! Our summer Hide His Word challenge will be reviewing basic scriptures for believers. If you or your children have never memorized before, why not sign up and start hiding His Word in your heart this summer?

It’s important to understand that the Word of God is the only offensive piece of our spiritual armor, the rest is defensive. The Word is even called the sword of the Spirit. Our children need to know and be ready to wield this holy sword!

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

4) Post scriptures around the house

The bathroom mirror and the kitchen windowsill seem to be our two favorite places to post scripture. We spend a lot of time at sinks, apparently! You can put up verses applicable to your child’s current struggle, or a general verse. Try taping printed scripture to the mirror, or for fun, write the verse directly on the mirror with a dry-erase or wet-erase marker!

There are also many beautiful, scripture-based home decorations available.

“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:9

5) Sing scripture songs that deal with fear and courage

Music makes such an impact on kids. On adults too! More than once a scripture has wafted in song out of the car speaker right into this weary mama’s heart and given me strength!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1

The [amazon_link id=”B002CLBJXW” target=”_blank” ]Seeds Family Worship[/amazon_link] songs are great. There is lots of other recorded scripture music for kids available. And many old hymns are scripturally based.

If you don’t know a song for the verse you want your children to memorize, use a familiar kids’ tune! Julie explains how in “Truth for Kids to Tunes We Know”

However you go about it, helping your kids stay in God’s Word will combat fears of all sizes!

Have you had to deal with fear in a child? How did you help your child focus on the sovereign God who loves her? Share in the comments!

Our “Let the Children Come” link-up is still open! Do you have a great idea to help kids stay in the Word? Please share it here!

Disclosure: Some affiliate links are present. If you click on those links and then purchase the item, we will receive a small commission. Regardless, we only share products we personally support, love, and think you would benefit from, too. Thank you in advance for supporting this ministry!

Surrendering Our Fears

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I’ve battled fear for a majority of my conscious memory. Fear is a relentless foe; it presses back every time I push it away.

But I’ve been given a way to push harder.

By letting go.

Why Surrender Is Hard and How to Start

Lisa’s post last week brought up the point of surrendering in the moment.

It’s through re-reading her post (and our other posts this month) that I’ve realized: When I fear, I’m surrendering to and serving fear in that moment.

Ouch.

The strong-willed (read: stubborn) majority of me immediately fights back, No way do I want to serve fear! Yet, that’s just what I’m doing. And, that stubbornness prevented me from surrendering to God to begin with.

When God calls me to “fear not,” what can I do instead?

  • Surrender fear by blasting its darkness with light.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” – Psalm 27:1

  • Surrender fear by grabbing gratitude.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

  • Surrender fear and replace it with peace given by His presence.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 (See also Philippians 4:6-7)

  • Surrender fear by fighting with truth. God is here. And God loves, reminding us why he wants us to surrender.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7

Surrendering Our Fears via Do Not Depart

What Happens When We Surrender Our Fears

Why can we let go of fear? Because God already extended (and continues to extend grace to us):

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…” – Titus 2:11 (See all of Titus 2:11-14)

What comes when we get rid of fear? Hope.

I’m still battling fear, but each time I read these truths, speak them out loud, and really believe in them, I open up to His strength a little bit more.

Read, speak, believe. Repeat again and again. As C.S. Lewis said, “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.”

I’d much rather surrender to His hope over fear. How about you?

Also, we don’t have to fight fear alone. Let’s fight fear with community (Colossians 3:15-17). How do you fight fear with His Word? How can we pray together for you today? Share in the comments.

God Delivers Us From All Our Fears

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God delivers us from our fears
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Years ago, my husband and I were camping with our two preschool daughters in the mountains of Wyoming. Sometime after midnight, noise in the camp woke me. When I whispered a question to my husband over the heads of our sleeping girls, his hushed but urgent reply quickly told me our nighttime visitor was much larger than a raccoon.

The light from the full moon cast a clear silhouette of the large black bear as she sniffed her way around the perimeter of our tent. I could see the movement of the nylon fabric and even hear her breathe as she passed close to me. Fear kept me from moving, but it also prompted prayer for protection. God heard and answered and the bear moved on.

David knew fear

David, the psalmist, knew the fear of facing wild animals to protect his sheep. He also knew the fear of hiding from murderous King Saul and fighting the ferocious Philistines. Through all this, David took his fear to God. And God heard, answered, and delivered.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

Psalm 34:4-7, NIV

The LORD “encamps around those who fear Him” (Ps 34:7). When we trust God with our fears, He establishes a protective enclosure around us. The bear may have been close that night in Wyoming, but God was closer.

do not depart

God Delivers Us

All of us experience fear. Sometimes the uncertainty of the future causes dread. Sometimes terrifying circumstances shake the most courageous among us. But we have a safe place to run when fears assail. God promises to establish Himself between us and that which threatens us.

Do you have a fearful challenge or a fierce battle before you now? You can take courage in the knowledge that God is overwhelming stronger than the person, situation, or circumstances you fear. As you follow God, you can have confidence in the strength of Him who leads the way.

God doesn’t promise we will never face fearful circumstances, but He does promise to deliver us through them. What is the difference?

Jehovah Rohi :: The Lord Is My Shepherd

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{First, a sincere apology for posting this a day later than expected.  I spent last weekend at a conference and Monday was spent trying to catch up on sleep and laundry and life with the family I missed terribly during my five days away.   Thank you for grace!}

 

image via microsoft clip art

When fear regarding the cares of this world sets in, we must remember God’s promise to care for us. ~ Elizabeth George

Do you get afraid?  Or lonely?  Or intimidated?  Or uncertain?   Yeah, me too.   I find myself wandering through life wondering if I’ll ever be enough, have enough, do enough.   Some days  I look at all the things I’ve done – from dishes to laundry to car pool to blog posts – and I think, “I’ll have to do every single one of those things again tomorrow.”    And I wonder, “Does it matter?”   But really, deep inside, I’m really asking God, “Do I matter?”

Maybe you can relate.  I imagine at some level we all have known that feeling.   We may know in our heads that we have a God who sees us (El Roi) but we feel in our hearts that we remain unseen.   We know in our heads that our God provides (Jehovah Jireh) but we look around and feel so very needy.   We know in our heads that God is there (Jehovah Shammah) but we still feel so very alone.

The Lord is my shepherd.

Psalm 23:1

These words have brought comfort to mourning families for centuries … but they offer us hope and truth as well.   These five words, “The Lord is my shepherd,” come from two Hebrew words:  Jehovah Rohi.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and I am known by My own” (John 10:14).

Jesus, our shepherd, is Jehovah Rohi, our Lord.

  • He feeds us … literally and spiritually.
  • He leads us … through still waters and through dark valleys … but He is with us each step.
  • He warns us … by His rod and staff we are guided and disciplined … because we are loved.

Today, will you slow down and read Psalm 23?   Cherish the promises of care and protection, provision and love, so freely offered to us.   What a great gift we have been given … to know Jehovah Rohi, the Lord is my shepherd.

How have you experienced the feeding, leading, and warning of the Lord in your life? 

Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts

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Have you ever wished you could just call on someone who would not only fight your battles but calm your fearful and frazzled heart too? Have you ever wanted to just throw your hands up in the air, give up and let someone else take care of things?

Well, you can! His name is Jehovah Sabaoth.

Today, we have the privilege of shedding some light on a name many are not very familiar with. His name is Jehovah Sabaoth and as we peel back the layers of that magnificent name, we will once again be reminded that the God we serve is so much greater than our finite minds can comprehend!

Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts) is mentioned over 270 times making it the most frequently used compound name of God in Scripture. This profound name means the Almighty, Sovereign, Self-Existent God over all the multitudes (whether an army, the sun, moon and stars, or creation itself).

First mentioned in 1 Samuel 1:3, we find Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, making annual trips to the temple to sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts. Just a few short verses later we find a barren and heartbroken Hannah making a covenant with the LORD of Hosts as she cried out for Him to hear her prayer and give her a child. (1 Samuel 1:11)

Hannah may have longed for her womb as well as her arms to be filled with a sweet little bundle of joy, but the previous verses (1 Samuel 1:6-7) give us a better idea of why she prayed such a desperate prayer. She not only wanted to experience the joy of being a mother but she also wanted to be able to silence the persistent mocking of Peninnah. So she called on the LORD of Hosts to win a war she could not win on her own.

In 1 Samuel 17:45, we find just prior to pegging Goliath with a pebble, David boldly proclaimed, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

And in 2 Samuel 5:10, we find – “And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.”

  • In Psalm 24:10, The LORD of Hosts is the King of glory and in Psalm 46:7 He is our Fortress.
  • In Psalm 59:5, He is called upon to vindicate His people.
  • In Isaiah 51:15 we see He controls the sea and the waves.
  • In Isaiah 54:5 He is our husband and in Zechariah 4:6, He declares that He alone wins our battles when He tells Zerubbabel, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”
  • And in Isaiah’s life-altering, mouth-shutting vision of the Lord, he heard the Seraphim speaking to one another, crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)

Throughout Scripture we find this LORD of Hosts as our ever present defender, the Sovereign and Holy God over all the universe who sees us, loves us and moves mountains on our behalf. He fights our battles, wins our wars and is the refuge we can run to in time of need. He is Jehovah-Sabaoth!

There is nothing He cannot do, nothing He does not know, nothing He cannot control, no enemy He cannot defeat, no heart He can not heal, no mouth He can not shut, no miracle He cannot perform. And how beautiful to know He longs to work in our lives and on our behalf as the LORD of Hosts!

What battle have you been trying to fight on your own? Like Hannah, will you call upon the LORD of Hosts to do what only He can do and vindicate you in the process? How does knowing that God is the LORD of Hosts help you in your circumstances?

 

 

 

She fears God and nothing else!

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So how do you feel about the Proverbs 31 woman now? Still a bit intimidated? Well, don’t lose heart! Today’s characteristic is more than just another attribute on a long list. It’s key to her overall success. And ladies, if we work on nothing but this one, we will go a long way toward becoming that rare wife of noble character.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.                                                              Proverbs 31:30, ESV

The Proverbs 31 woman fears the Lord. I believe this specific characteristic has much to do with the existence of the others. The book of Proverbs repeatedly connects godly fear with wisdom and knowledge of God (see Proverbs 1:7, 1:29, 2:5, 3:7, 9:10, 15:33.) The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom (9:10). It is the beginning of knowledge (1:7). In other words, if we want to know God more intimately and walk in His wisdom, we must fear Him.

Because she fears the Lord, our P31 woman knows God and His character, she has gained His wisdom, and knows how to apply it to life. Here are just a few connections that Proverbs makes between godly fear and navigating life. Those who fear the Lord will:

  • Follow the right path (Proverbs 14:2)
  • Find security (Proverbs 14:26)
  • Escape death (Proverbs 14:27)
  • Be protected (Proverbs 19:23)

We see one more exciting result of the fear of the Lord in the life of the P31 woman: because she fears the Lord, she doesn’t have to fear anything else! Godly fear produced godly wisdom for life. She doesn’t have to fear winter (31:21), because in wisdom she has made warm clothes. She doesn’t have to fear the future (31:25), because in wisdom she has prepared for it.

Jesus taught this truth to His disciples. He told them not to fear anything that man could do to them. Only fear the One that has all power over life and eternity (Matthew 10:26-28). God has authority over every circumstance of life – hardship, persecution, grief, and trial. Whether He chooses to deliver you from something or through something, He will deliver you! Fear Him and not the circumstance. Trust in His wisdom and guidance and don’t let difficulty cause you to take your eyes off of Him.

So, what does it mean to fear God? I actually wrote an entire Bible study on that topic, but we only have a few minutes together today! The Hebrew word most often translated as “fear” is yare’. Here’s a quick definition from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by W.E. Vine.

Used of a person in an exalted position, [yare’] connotes “standing in awe.” This is not simple fear, but reverence, whereby an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders him proper respect.

If you looked up all the passages in the Bible that include this word, you would find that over and over God equates fearing Him with worship and obedience. In other words, if we recognize the true power and position of God (godly fear) then it will cause us to obey Him and give Him the proper worship.

The P31 woman recognized the power and position of God. Therefore, in godly fear, she spent her life obeying and worshipping Him, and living in His wisdom. Her “noble character” (31:10) was a direct result of her attitude toward God.

Do you “fear God?” Before today, what did you think it meant to fear God? If you lived a life of godly fear, how would it be different?

 

If you want to learn a little more about what it means to fear God, check out this 4-minute video teaching by Kathy.

Blessings for Fear

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Many Christians today are far too casual with God. We often treat Him like a celestial vending machine, popping in prayers when we need something and expecting Him to respond with just what we ordered. We must consider His holiness! He is the Almighty God, Creator of the universe who deserves our reverent fear.

But the proper fear of God is not an attitude that keeps us shaking in a corner or running away from Him as fast as our weak little legs can carry us. No, if we have trusted in Jesus as our Savior, then His blood has granted us access to the very throne room of God. We can draw near to our holy God “with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:19-23).

Yes, we have access, but God is still holy. Malachi 1:6 reminds us that God is both our Father and Master, which makes us both child and slave. This dual role creates a tension that helps us better understand what it means to fear God A proper balance will keep us from either treating God too casually or remaining too distant.

We will obey God out of fear. In his book, Holiness, Henry Blackaby says, “Where there is no fear of God, there is no fear of sin.” When we do fear God as we should, then we will begin to obey Him. Our obedience will then foster a deeper intimacy and closeness with God than we have ever experienced. Jesus understood this connection:

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed the Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  John 15:10-11, NIV.

The Bible is full of passages showing the blessings associated with fearing God. Below are just a few from the Psalms. For space sake I will list the reference and the blessing. I encourage you to look them up and read them for yourself when you have time!

  • Psalm 25:14 – God confides in those who fear and makes His covenant known to them.
  • Psalm 31:19 – God bestows His goodness on them.
  • Psalm 33:18-19 – God’s eyes are on those who fear Him to deliver them from death.
  • Psalm 103:13 – God has compassion on those who fear Him.
  • Psalm 115:11 – God is their help and shield.
  • Psalm 145:19 – God fulfills their desires; He hears their cries and saves them.

These are just the beginning and they are all glorious! But my favorite passage about the blessings of fearing God is Malachi 3:16-17a:

Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. “They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession.

We have only touched the surface of what it means to fear God. Here are a few resources that will help you better understand God’s holy nature and what it means to fear Him.

How has your understanding or view of fearing God changed this week?

God Deserves our Fear

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Picture with me for a moment the scene in the desert of Sinai when God descended on the mountain top and revealed Himself to the children of Israel. (If you have time read Exodus 19.)

Before God’s visit, Moses warned the people not to touch or even approach the mountain or they would die. When God arrived, a dense cloud enveloped the peak. Fire and smoke billowed upward almost blocking the sun. The ground shook violently. Thunder pounded. Lightening streaked across the sky. God’s holy presence so frightened the Israelites they begged Moses to be their mediator with God. They promised to listen and obey everything Moses passed along. (See Deut 5:23-27.)

Obedience was the exact thing God wanted from them. He revealed Himself to them for that very purpose:

Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai,where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’ Deut 4:10, NLT

Israel responded in fearful obedience to the holiness of God. In his book, The Holiness of God, the great theologian R.C. Sproul says the word “holy” can be used as a synonym for God’s divine nature. “When the word holy is applied to God, it does not signify one single attribute. On the contrary, God is called holy in a general sense… holy calls attention to all that God is.”

It was God’s holiness revealed (His glory) that caused the Israelites to fear Him. God’s very nature is the basis for godly fear. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament refers to the holiness of God as “totally good and entirely without evil… By definition, holiness is separate from all that is sinful and profane.” Because God is holy, He is “above the weaknesses and imperfections of mortals.” This truth is expressed in First John: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” 1 John 1:5b, NIV.

The holiness of God is the essence of His being. All the things we consider the attributes of God – like love, mercy, faithfulness, and righteousness – are expressions of His holy nature. God is good because He is holy. God is gracious because He is holy. And God is just because He is holy.

We should fear God because He is holy. Our holy God deserves our highest reference, awe, respect, honor, and obedience! God wants us to fear Him so we will obey Him. When we obey God we will be right in the center of His will for us. And the center of His will is always what’s best for us!

“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” Deut 5:29, NIV

Tomorrow we will see how godly fear operates in the life of a believer who has gained access to our holy God through the blood of Christ.

How could contemplating God’s holiness expand your view of Him?

We are Commanded to Fear God

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I came across a list on the internet of more than 500 phobias, indexed alphabetically. Some, like pteronophobia (the fear of being tickled by feathers) are rare and unusual. Then there are others, like atomosophobia (the fear of atomoic explosions), I think we should all have.

By definition, phobias are abnormal fears. But the Bible teaches it is normal for believers to fear God. In fact, God promises some incredible things to those who do. And when we do, we don’t have to fear anything else!

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:4-7, NIV

Isn’t it ironic that the one fear the Bible consistently encourages us to have is one we sorely lack?

Here are just a few of the passages in the Bible that command us to fear God and depict godly fear as the correct, positive attitude towards God.

  • The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Ps 25:14, NIV
  • The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Ps 110:10a, NIV
  • Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. Ps 112:1, NIV
  • He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. Prov 14:26, NIV
  • Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
  • Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 1 Peter 1:17, NIV

I could list many more, but these few show that God does indeed expect His children to fear Him. And if you missed the promises in these verses, go back and look again!

Here is the definition (from the Online Bible Greek and Hebrew Lexicon) for the Hebrew word, yare’, that is translated as “fear” in these passages:

To fear, be afraid; to stand in awe of, be awed; to fear, reverence, honor, respect

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words elaborates on the meaning of yare’. “Used of a person in an exalted position, [yare’] connotes ‘standing in awe.’ This is not simple fear, but reverence, whereby an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders him proper respect.”

The Bible often equates the fear of God with living rightly and obediently before Him. (See Deut 4:9-14, 5:22-29, 10:12-13 for examples.) In fact, as you read through the Bible you will see that the fear of God and obeying Him are almost synonymous ideas.

In his book, The Joy of Fearing God, Jerry Bridges states that people who continue to live in sin and stubbornly refuse to obey God apparently have no fear of God or His discipline. “Anytime we sin with the thought lurking in the back of our minds that God will forgive us, we aren’t living in the fear of God.” I know I have been guilty of trying to take advantage of God’s grace in this way.

The proper fear of God is based on who He is. Based on my study and observation, I believe the primary reason we fail to fear God as we should is because our view of God is limited. Tomorrow, we will take a closer look at God’s holy nature and expand our view of God!

Have you ever been guilty of “taking advantage of God’s grace?”

Scribbles & Doodles & Reading Aloud

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Making Time to Study the Word

 

Life often moves at a breakneck pace. Whatever season you’re in, I imagine you’ve got a lot on your plate, calling for your attention. 

I am in a season of raising children (toddlers, teens, and a few in between!) and developing my career. The latter, I am grateful to admit, calls for some pretty dedicated time to study the Bible. But in this season of busyness (which is not so different from other seasons of busyness) I find I must make time to cultivate my relationship with Jesus. Like every other important relationship in life, I have to be intentional about how I spend my time and carve out opportunities to enjoy and engage with the One who is my Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. Thankfully, unlike other relationships, He is willing to meet me where I am. 

Here are three things I’m doing to make time and space in my heart and mind.

Scribbles

My first step when I approach a text, either for personal study or professional, is to read it with fresh eyes and rapid log, aka Scribble, my initial thoughts, questions, and impressions. Rapid log is a term from the Bullet Journal tradition. It means jotting down your thoughts, bullet-point style, as it occurs to you. 

This initial step serves to clear my mind of any assumptions or associations I have. I stress that it is an initial first step because it is essential to go back through those notes and seek out the truth about what those stories mean. As Ali mentioned in her post, sometimes all we have is a few moments to jot down our thoughts, but someday we will get the time to dig deeper. 

My scribbles are a way to engage with the text with an open heart. Sometimes I will paraphrase what I’ve read, to see if I’m understanding it. Sometimes I will write down the exact Scripture, and occasionally I will…

Doodle!

When it comes to art, I’ve always been better with words and speech. My ability to communicate visually is somewhat lacking. I can sketch a pretty decent snail when called upon to do so, but even that is hit and miss. 

Yet my hands love to be busy, especially when I’m listening to a sermon or podcast, or even going back over my scribbled notes.  I find my pen working over the letters, making shapes, and sketches of things that are standing out to me. 

What surprised me one day was realizing that what appeared to be mindless doodling was actually helping me remember and connect to what I was studying! The doodles help me to slow down and sit in the words. 

Like scribbling, doodling it is only a piece of Bible study, incomplete on its own, but part of a rich, intentional, process of growing closer to the Lord.  

Reading Aloud

Finally, another way I like to engage with the text is by reading it out loud.  I do this in my room or at the table while my children are eating breakfast. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t, but I speak the words anyway.  

In this text from Deuteronomy, the Lord instructs future kings to engage with Scripture by writing and reading it:

“When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to observe all the words of this instruction, and to do these statutes.” Deuteronomy 17:18-19

The Hebrew word for “read” (here and in many other verses) is “qara” (pronounced car-uh). It means “to call out, summon, invite, name, utter aloud”. It’s a hugely different picture than what I usually have in my mind when I think of reading, which is what I have always done when I want to be alone! 

Like scribbling and doodling, reading the words out loud helps me to slow down and take them in, allowing me to engage fully with whatever it is the Holy Spirit is teaching me. 

How do you engage with Scripture? #SnapshotsofBibleStudyClick To Tweet

I love the Word of God. I love learning the history and culture of the people in the ancient world. I love digging into the language and discovering how God is timeless and unchangeable. Mostly, I love that He chooses to engage with us, where and when we are if only we will take the time to engage with Him. 

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Are you willing to give one of these tricks a try? Here is a Three Ways to Engage Printable to help you incorporate scribbling, doodling, or reading aloud into your time with the Word. Share your experience with us in the comments or on the Facebook Community Page!

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