God's Two-Word Command

Many times in Scriptures, there is a simple two-word command offered by God, "Fear not." Straight-forward. To the point. He is commanding in tone.

"Fear not."

It sounds simple enough.

But unfortunately, it is easier to quote this proclamation than to apply it and live by it's standard. The struggle relates to the reality that we would not need to abstain from fear if there were not something to fear. But, the good news is that when we have a relationship with our God who has told us not to fear, we then know that he is in us, with us, and for us. And, that impacts every facet of the natural with the truth of the supernatural.

Fear, upon arrival, brings with it emotional torment because fear is more than a mindset; it is a spirit. And, God has not given us that spirit. He has instead given us power, love, and a sound mind. May we utilize his power, embrace his love, and make decisions from the perspective of a sound mind that is not scrambled with confusion.

• God gave the command, "Fear not" because he knew himself to be greater than anything in the world that the enemy could ever use against his people.

We do not measure our faith by good days; it is proven by the bad happenstances. The places of discomfort are the areas where faith is always the most tested. Currently, we are in a season of borderline panic globally and faith is certainly being tested on all fronts. But, thankfully, we serve the God of all Creation who can speak, "Peace" to any storm.

Knowing this truth, During this current storm called coronavirus, which has brought with it a season of facing new levels of the unknown and battling challenges that our culture and society have never faced before, we invite you to join 3trees Church in twice-daily prayer times, 6 am and 8 pm (at your local time). While we are praying in secret moments of solitude, we are believing for the public manifestation of God's peace, presence, and grace on behalf of ourselves, our loved ones, and our community, nation, and world.

CONSIDER:

Isaiah 41:10, "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 41:13, "For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'"

2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Psalm 91, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked... no harm will overtake you... no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With a long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

What To Do When You Want Peace

“Benaiah... had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did and won a name among three mighty men. He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.” - II Samuel 23:20-23 NKJV

Benaiah was a man of significant prowess; specifically in the realm of warfare. Intriguingly his name means, “Son of the Lord.” It brings to mind a statement that Jesus once made about children of God,

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” - Matthew 9:5

Notice he did not say, peacekeeper, he said peacemaker. There is a difference between the two. To make peace, one sometimes can not keep the peace -- he first must make war. Benaiah was a peacemaker!

We all want peace. We long for it. In fact, surveys say it is the thing we long for most in our relationships. But, peace doesn’t just happen. It isn’t passive, it is active. Sometimes, we must fight for it! And, according to Jesus, doing so, proves we are blessed children of the Lord.

CONSIDER:

Sometimes, you have to make war to make peace.

• Is there a new intensity that needs to come to your prayer life? (Ref. Ephesians 6; James 5:16)

• Do you need to take captive thoughts that are hindering your peace? (2 Corinthians 10:5)