Scared

3/27/2020

Revelation 4:1 “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things.”

Full disclosure: even though I am a New Testament girl, I am not much of a Revelation reader. When I read the beginning of chapter 4, it was very confusing. It is interesting, but confusing. So today, I will focus on a portion of Chambers’ lesson and bring in some wisdom from another book I am currently reading.

Chambers writes, “Compare this week in your spiritual history with the same week last year and see how God has called you up higher.” That is certainly a powerfully interesting question in the light of what is currently happening in our world. Am I stronger in my walk? Have I drawn closer to Jesus in the past year? Are the trials of the Covid-19 virus shaking my faith or scaring me? Am I able to walk in power and strength, and not fear because I am trusting God in all things?

Truthfully, this question was a difficult one for me. As I have mentioned before, I have OCD that presents as germ phobia and checking; not a great combination. This period of time has been particularly trying for me, and exhausting in every way. Unfortunately, I have allowed external voices to seep into my mind and trigger my fears. Thankfully though, the leader of the Women’s Ministry at my church encouraged us to join her today in a time of fasting and prayer, and I have done so. Being still, and blocking out the din of the world, has helped me focus on listening to God, and my spirit has quietly settled into His truth.

I used a part of my day reading from the book Girls with Swords, by Lisa Bevere. I was struck by three powerful sentences. First, “God loves when we pray boldly without a shadow of a doubt. I like to think of it this way: God invites us to pray in such a way that it scares what is scared within us!” Yes!!!! Later came this follow up, “But in all honesty, if you are not praying the type of prayers that scare you, your prayers are certainly not frightening our enemy.” Yes and Yes!!! I do not want to give Satan any entry into my life my at all. I always want to bind him in the name of Jesus; for he flees at the mention of my Savior’s name.

God wants me to pray in all reverence to Him with boldness and strength. He wants me to be a warrior, and to pray in such a way that scares what is scared in me. If I let my fears control me, even when there is a real issue in this world to fear, I become ineffective for Him. Nothing, not even a small but formidable virus, is bigger than my Almighty God.

So, instead of excessively watching daily infection numbers and contestant newsfeeds, I will spend my time with God and seek His wisdom. I will pray so boldly that what is scared inside of me will tremble and flee in the light and mighty power of my Savior!

For such a time as this.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.”

May God have mercy on us all.