Dread

Do you have a sense of dread? Is there something or someone looming over you causing fear or anxiety? I mean…there’s enough going on in our world right now to fill us all with a sense of dread, right?

Dread could be so hidden that we don’t even recognize it for what it is. Is there a day of the week which fills you with anxiety? Do you get sweaty palms knowing you’ll see someone tomorrow? Are you stressed in a certain setting? Do the holidays fill you with dread? Are you anxious when you listen to the news? (I mean…who isn’t!)

God warned Isaiah (Isaiah 8) about a coming invasion by Assyria. He also told him not to join in with the conspiracy theories nor to be afraid of the threats. He said, “The LORD of hosts, Him you shall call holy; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”

I know that when I’m fearing something or someone, my eyes and my heart are in the wrong place. I’ve exalted them above God. I feel powerless and out of control. I’m afraid of how I’ll be affected by what someone else does. The truth is…I never had control. And I can’t control the actions of others. And God, who has control, is only allowing things in my life to strengthen me and change me.  

Satan delights seeing us fear and dread—it’s right where he wants us! If we fear, we won’t step out in obedience to God. Our courage has melted. We’ll be silent when we should speak up. We’ll hide instead of engaging in battle. 

We need to let God be our fear and our dread. If our eyes are on Him and we’re convinced of His strength and control, we can live free of fear, anxiety, and dread. There’s a great battle going on in our minds, isn’t there?

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 41:10

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 

II Corinthians 10:4-5

Rest

We live in a fast-paced world which is quickly spinning out of control. It’s imperative that we take time to rest—truly rest.  

But you know what I’ve found?  When I have a day to rest, my mind kicks in.  “I should be doing this. This would really be a good day to minister to Mrs. Widow.  I need to clean the bathroom. I’m wasting time sitting here. Etc., etc., etc.” My mind most often works against me. (And we know Satan loves to fill our mind with destructive thoughts as well!)

God knew our minds would try to control us. He knew we’d imagine scenarios we should take care of. He knew we’d ignore the rest we needed. So he told us, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 

We’re to do the work of casting down thoughts and imaginations (reasoning hostile to God).  God has commanded us to rest. (Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy—set apart to God.) He also gave us the promise of rest. (Hebrews 4:1) God gave us the example of rest by resting after He’d created the world and everything in it. We also know when our bodies are tired—we just have to acknowledge it. It may be that your spirit (mind, will, emotions) are tired. Are you resting and feeding them? You may have to take a step back and determine what kind of rest you need!

When is the last time you rested? Have you acknowledged you need rest—or do you just keep going? It also bears the question (for me), “Who am I seeking to please—God or man?”

We need rest. Now more than ever. 

Armor of God

I had a revelation recently. In Ephesians 6, when Paul was instructing believers to put on the armor of God so they could STAND…he was actually telling them in six different ways to be in the Word of God.  

•The Belt of Truth. John 14:6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” John 1:1. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus=Truth=Word

•Breastplate of Righteousness. What is righteousness?  Right living. How do we know how to live “right?”  Psalm 119:172. “My tongue shall speak of your Word, for all your commandments are righteousness.” Righteousness=Word

•Sandals of the Gospel of Peace. We are to walk in the gospel of peace. What is that?  Where is the gospel found?  The Word. Romans 10:15. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace…” 

•Shield of Faith. Where do we get faith?  The Word. Romans 10:17. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Faith=Hearing Word

•The Helmet of Salvation. Why do we need a helmet? To protect our minds. How do we protect our minds? II Corinthians 10:5. “…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” Christ=Word

•Sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17 clearly tells us what this is. “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”  Sword=Word

Paul says four times in this passage to “STAND.” The only way we can stand in these days is to be in the Word of God daily! We need to read it, hear it, meditate on it, eat it, digest it, speak it, believe it, hold on to it, use it against the enemy. 

But if we’re not in the Word, we’ll fall…and probably fall for anything. We won’t know what is right, what is true, how to guard our minds, how to share the truth, not how to defeat the enemy.  

STAND: Be fixed in your mind. Set. Make firm. Fix. Establish. Be kept in place. Sustain the force and authority of the Word. Be balanced. Be firm and immovable. Be of a steadfast mind. Don’t waiver. Don’t hesitate. 

God said…

Have you ever wondered what God said over you when you were created?

In Luke 1, God declared, through angels, who John the Baptist and Jesus would be—before they were even conceived. Those words revealed their purpose on earth. 

What did God declare over you and me?

Maybe we should ask Him. He has a kingdom purpose for us. And it’s always about Him.