Author: ChristianHolinessDaily

Fear Not 365 – For God is Working Through You…

January 14, 2017 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

I have noticed an undeniable trend in my life. The only problems that challenge me are self-made. In other words, my life would be pretty good if I would just stay out of it. Well, since that is impossible, I must thank God for blessing me in spite of myself.

The same thing might be said about Elija. When we first meet him in 1 Kings 17:1, he seems to have boldly taken it upon himself to confront Ahab, the king of Israel. Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, worshipped Baal instead of the true God. Not only that, they compelled the entire nation to worship the false god. Nowhere does the Bible say that God asked Elijah to confront Ahab that first time (although, one might safely assume that).

To protect Elijah from the king after that confrontation, God leads Elijah to the desert, sits him down by a stream, and sends ravens to feed him. Before long, though, the stream dries up because of a drought that God had sent on Israel.

To save Elijah, God tells him to seek out a particular widow and ask her for food. The widow, though, has no food, and tells Elijah she was preparing her last meal from what little flour and oil that remained. It was just enough to feed her and her son. “After that is gone,” she said, “I will give up and die.”

“Do not fear,” Elijah tells her. “Bake me some bread, and feed me. I promise, there will be enough for you and your son. Furthermore, I promise that your supply of flour and oil will not run out until God sends rain.”

While Elijah comforts the widow and her son, he must have mused about the way God works. He may have spent weeks in the desert, placing his faith in God, and wondering if and when his life would get better. When the stream dried up, he undoubtedly prayed desperately.

“Don’t be afraid, Elijah.” God had reassured him. “For through your tragic situation, I am working. A widow will feed you, and in turn, I will feed her and her son.”

We don’t really know that God said that to Elijah, but that is the exact situation.

Have you ever stopped to consider how God is using you, even in the lowest, most traffic circumstances in your life? You may never know how you have touched others for the good. Don’t be afraid, for God is working through you, even when you feel like you are at your lowest.

Fear Not 365 – for God is in Control

January 13, 2017 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

Pharoah' chariots — A wheel from an Egyptian chariot under the Red Sea

Imagine yourself with your back up against the sea, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of other slaves, fleeing Egypt, when, on the horizon you spot the dust clouds of Pharaoh’s approaching army.

Your heart sinks, certain that they will recapture you and your family, maybe kill you, and, at the least, return you to slavery and punish you.

You don’t know what Moses knows. You don’t hear God’s voice like he does. Sure, you witnessed the plagues, and you heard about Moses’s confrontations with Pharoah, but… still, how does any of that help now? Now that you are trapped…

Then, Moses speaks:

“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

What is it that Moses knows that no one else knows? He knows how God works behind the scenes. He know that God saw the darkness and stubbornness of Pharaoh’s heart and made it even darker. He compelled Pharoah to chase after the people of Israel.

Why, though? Why would God set Pharoah against His Chosen People?

God would demonstrate to the people of Egypt that He is the Almighty God, the One True God.

And, He would allow the Israelites to lose all hope, to fall into such desperation that there would be no doubt that it was God who rescued them. He would allow them to hit rock bottom, so as to have a solid foundation upon which they might rebuild.

If only we could see through God’s eyes, then we would have no fear. Fear Not, for God is in control.

Fear Not- Stand Still and Watch Him Fight for You.

January 12, 2017 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

Is there any greater example of divine protection than the deliverance of the Nation of Israel from Egypt? God sends plague after plague against Pharaoh and his people until finally, he consents to allow the nation of slaves to depart in freedom.

First, a plague of bloody water is sent against Pharoah.

Second, a plague of frogs.

Third, a plague of lice.

Fourth, a plague of flies.

Fifth, a plague sickens and kills much of the livestock.

All the while Pharoah refuses to free the Israelites. When he finally decides to release them, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart and he changes his mind.

Five more plagues (read Exodus 7-12), the last of which is truly devastating, and Pharoah is glad to be rid of the Israelites.

Before they flee too far, though, Pharoah chases after them with the strongest army in the world. Once again, God had hardened the Pharaoh’s heart and he had changed his mind.

When God leads the Israelites to what they fear will be certain death, backed up against the Red Sea, and Pharoah blocking their escape, then Moses reassures them. “Fear Not. Stand still and Watch God deliver victory” (Exodus 14:13-14).

Moses raises his staff. The Red Sea parts. The Israelites escape across the sea on dry land. Pharoah and his army drown.

As God delivered victory to the children of Israel, He will deliver it also to you. Be still. Watch. Wait. And, cross over on dry ground to the land where your enemies may never follow.