DO NOT BE AFRAID

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

"When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." Exodus 20:18-21

Picture yourself as amongst the people of Israel that followed Moses out of Egypt. You have watched the Lord divide the Red Sea so you could pass through on dry land, you then watched God crash the walls of water down on Pharoah and his pursuing army, you saw God change bitter water to water that was drinkable with a piece of wood and you watched Him bring water from a rock when you were thirsty. You were given quail and manna from heaven in the midst of your hunger. And you saw God deliver you in the midst of attack from the hands of the Amalekites. You have mode it through so much to be at this place…at the foot of Mount Sinai and in the presence of the Almighty God…the God who has displayed His power to you throughout your exodus.

Moses has gone up the mountain and into the presence of God. You stand and await his return, warned to not step onto the mountain unless you wish to experience God’s judgment. And now, as you await Moses’ return, the sky begins to loudly rumble with thunder and flash with lightning. You hear a trumpet but can’t see the player. Mount Sinai is before you and is in smoke. Can you see where you would be trembling in fear? What an experience that must have been.

Well, Moses comes to them. What a relief this must have been to the fearful people of Israel. They long for some word that might assure them but they are afraid of God and His possible judgment upon them. Were they to perish like Pharoah and his army? Would God lift up Mount Sinai as He lifted the waters of the Red Sea and send it crashing down on them? They pleaded with Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." And what does Moses say to the people right away? He says, "Do not be afraid."

Question: Is there anything that you’re afraid of today? Are you facing a time in your life where you’re experiencing trials, challenges, uncertainties, poor health, addiction, or any other form of hardship? Do you fear tomorrow and your future?

If you are experiencing anxieties, fears, stresses, or worries, know that God is just a prayer away from you…waiting to hear you and send you a very important message…"Do not be afraid." This message is spoken 65 times in the bible and always at a time when the listener was in dire need of assurance and hope.

God’s word also has within it what I believe is the prescription for stress, anxiety, worry and fear. He speaks through the apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi. I pray these words will be of comfort to you not only today but forever more. The Lord said through Paul, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Essentially, God is saying, "Don’t shoulder the burdens of life as if you have no source of help. Trust Me. Have faith in Me. I am all capable, all powerful, and all willing. There is nothing beyond the work of My Almighty Hands. Lay your burdens at my feet. Lift up your needs to me in prayer and let Me handle what is weighing you down. Set yourself free to be able to do My will for you. Experience liberation from your burdens and find peace through Me…a peace unlike no other…a peace that transcends all understanding. And once you find that peace, I will protect your heart and mind in My Son, Jesus." Can you hear Him speaking to you? Trust Him…and do not be afraid.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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