Have you felt like running lately? Do you feel like your drowning in fear?
Today, I want to encourage you to be aware of God’s unfailing love. I hear the voice of the Lord this morning that says to partner with faith over fear.
It’s clear to me. The spirit of fear is out there and it’s at your door way waiting for a crack so he can enter your home. But the Lord wants you to know that you are strong. The Lord is with you and Love will NEVER fail you nor will it disappoint you.
This is what happens. Fear paints a picture for you with a 3D effect. The author of fear is Satan. Fear has a voice and that voice cuts, severs and separates.
But today, I am sending a word to you. Do not be afraid. Listen, fear is lying to you. Fear is painting a picture for you and has planted seeds in your heart where the imagination is formed.
Your imagination will convince your emotions that it feels right, looks right so it must be true. NO. The devil is a liar and the father of lies. Fear wants you to suffer and pay the penalty. Fear will threaten you by partnering with worry and despair.
Look at the rest of the story of Elijah:
“… while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.”
Can you hear the desperation in his voice? He’s like God … let me die … I have nothing to live for anymore.
All at once (suddenly), an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
I speak to your spirit man … You are about to experience a “suddenly.”
“He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”
The angel came back to him the second time and touched him. … Then he spoke and said, “get up.”
“So, he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.”
So, the Lord Almighty is speaking. It’s time to get up. You are about to experience a “touch” from the Lord. One touch from HIM changes everything.
This is what the Lord wants you to do. Partner with faith over fear. You won’t be disappointed. Fear, worry and despair will breed disappointment.
Listen my friends. Instead of letting the devil disappoint you, why don’t you start disappointing him? Yes. The plans of the enemy right now, in Jesus name, are thwarted and frustrated, empty and void, and defeated by faith, hope and love in Jehovah God. Hallelujah!
The Lord is now asking you one more thing. What are you doing here? Keep reading.
“And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.'”
“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
God was not in the wind. He was not in the fire. He was not in the earthquake.
Elijah stood on the mountain and he felt the wind, but it was not God, or an earthquake.
Everything was shaken all around him, but God was not in it. There was a fire, but God was not in the fire. But then there was a still, small voice … and He said to him, “Elijah, what are you doing here?”
God is saying to you the same thing He said to Elijah: “What are you doing here?”
I hear the Lord saying: I have seen your victories. I was in it. I saw you when fear came upon you and you wanted to run for your life. You were afraid because of death. So, now you’re sitting here, depressed and feeling downcast.
Remember the word in Psalms 43:4-5:
“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
Again, I hear Him saying, “Get up. Dry your eyes. It’s time to move on.”
So, what are you doing here? You’ve been looking all around for the answer and it lies on the inside of your soul. That’s where I am, that still small voice.
Listen for a whisper. His voice will speak gently to your soul.
Get ready for a sudden encounter from the Lord. Faith over fear, in Jesus’ name. The perfect love of God casts all fear away. {eoa}
Janet Swanson is an ordained minister, teacher, missionary, entrepreneur, author, singer, artist, composer, speaker, student, encourager, hope dealer, overcomer, advocate for the abused, dream-builder and a life-giver.
