Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional; Wednesday 24th July 2019 ;
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;
VOICE FAITH NOT FEAR;
Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Many today are in precarious situations for yielding to, and voicing their fears. Consider the important lesson from Job’s experience in the Old Testament. Job was a righteous man, a faithful servant of the Lord, but through fear, he gave Satan the opportunity to wreak havoc in his life.
Satan had tried unsuccessfully to attack Job, because Job was divinely protected; there was a spiritual hedge around him (Job 1:8-10). However, the words of Job himself in Job 3:25 reveal how Satan was eventually able to penetrate the hedge to attack him. Job said, “The worst of my fears have come true, what I’ve dreaded most has happened” (MSG).
Despite God’s protection over his life, which even Satan attested to, Job voiced his fears. In the twenty-sixth verse, he said, “I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.” But he was in safety until he broke the hedge. He spoke contrary to the Word of God; God could not legally protect him beyond his confessions; and that’s just like many today, who talk fear or give voice to words inspired by fear.
Never yield to fear because of an evil report. An evil report is any report that’s not consistent with the provisions of the Gospel; anything that negates your rights, privileges, ability, and heritage in Christ Jesus. For example, it doesn’t matter what the prognosis or diagnosis is concerning your health, refuse to fear. Keep declaring that you’re in health.
Be like Caleb and Joshua, of the twelve leaders Moses sent to spy out Canaan, who boldly voiced their faith. The Bible says the others came back with an evil report of fear concerning the giants, but Caleb and Joshua declared, “…they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not” (Numbers 14:9).
That’s the voice of faith, and your faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).
PRAYER
Precious Father, your Word is my life and my rock, the solid ground on which I stand. I’m not moved by what I feel, see or hear; I’m only moved by your Word. Thus, I’m like a tree by the stream, prosperous and ever fruitful, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 28:17-31 & Psalms 30-31
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 10:38-42 & Joshua 22