Greetings Everyone,
Living in Florida allows those who live near the beach to enjoy some of creation’s greatest beauty, as well as the possibility of experiencing some of the earth’s most intimidating forces. The same environment which provides sounds of peace and comfort, when agitated by atmospheric influences, can become tyrannical in nature, and turn into a destructive force.
Obviously I am talking about the comparison of want happens to coastline areas when normally peaceful and when the imminency of hurricanes and tropical storms exist, which by enormous amounts of wind, rain, and waves, can turn a beautiful coastline, into an ugly disarray of what once was.
When a hurricane is possible and close to us, the temperament and fear of Floridians emerges in change like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. If anyone remembers the national toilet paper rush of 2020, realize, Floridians have experienced this every time a storm is close. Fear is a motivating factor – it simply is. As Believers, we are to be wise and harmless, yet not walk in fear. On two occasions, Jesus HAD to tell His disciples not to fear in the middle of a torrential storm. There are several takeaways we should gain from this very fact.
- Storms will, and not just, can happen.
- They will happen multiple times in the course of one’s life.
- An eternal perspective is important to counteract the impact of storms.
- Fear always suddenly appears, but faith can take time to implement.
Human nature is the realm and paradigm where most people live, every day. My belief in part, is that because of the rise of emerging technology, the level of supernatural faith has decreased over time. Access and time given to constant and perpetual information contrary to the principles of God’s Word, has overridden beliefs in the populous – leading to the lowest number of Americans having full faith and belief in God’s Word as inerrant and in believing loyalty to Christ as King of Kings. (It is why we are believing for an awakening)
The Children of Israel dealt with this same issue when leaving Egypt.
Exodus 14:10-12 says, “And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”
- Vs 11 – Because there were no graves in Egypt – HAVE YOU taken us away to die? – so in the midst of this miracle, the ten plagues, being spared from them all, the death of Egypt’s firstborn – they allocated the direction to leave Egypt as being Moses’ choice alone – not God’s – so in this moment, they took their eyes off of Him and put them on man alone.
- Vs. 12 – For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness – The fear of death arose in the midst of the people – WHILE THEY WERE BEING DELIVERED! They had no discernment, they bucked the direction of the Lord – time and time again, especially after the demonstration of miracle after miracle – Fear has not only given a distorted view of their situation, but it also gives them a distorted picture in their memories. Fear had them saying, “We were better off in bondage to Pharaoh!”
Folks, we are being inundated with immense information; being told so many things by so many earthly leaders. This confusion has led to incredible fear in so many directions. Fear of the virus, fear of the vaccine, fear of government, fear of man, fear of the economy, fear of costs rising, fear of being near people, fear of death. – When Jesus tells us to fear not! – Moses told the Israelites – FEAR NOT! Stand and see the salvation of your God!. Moses extended his rod – the engraved staff where he had recorded through the carving of the irrefutable acts and miracles of God on behalf of His people. Luke 18:8 says, “I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?” As I watch Believers today, I really wonder this – I truly do, because people I have known, are acting like they never have before. Friends, this is the season for hearing the direction of the Holy Spirit, walking in it, and having confidence – (comes from the word Con-Fide = “without fear”) – “Rejoicing in Messiah Yeshua, having no confidence in the flesh.”
Psalms 23:4 – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” David – in the midst of seemingly facing death – declares this – that the guidance and instruction of the Lord in his life – COMFORT HIM… can you say that today?
Let’s look at what I just mentioned – Exodus 14:13 says, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.”
Do you think Covid is going away? – probably not – there is now a “Delta plus Variant” in California – Who cares? Stop walking in fear – The God in you is greater than a virus – It is he who endures to the end who shall be saved.
Now you may think – Mike – you aren’t seeming to be very compassionate – Let me tell you something – fear is not irradicated by coddling it. Fear needs to be confronted and it is the Spirit of God which comforts. “He has given us power, love and a sound mind” – David’s comfort did not come through the coddling of fear – it came through allowing himself to be directed by the Rod and Staff of the Lord…
Can we all agree we are not to fear? Can we all agree not to make decisions based in fear? Ask yourself when having to make a decision of great importance in this time – “Do I feel comfort from the Holy Spirit, or do I feel comfort from my decision alone?” – another way to look at a situation is to examine if you are being reactive or proactive and seeing the hand of the Father in your steps…
Stand and see the Salvation(Yeshua) of Your God! – don’t act or react in fear – respond in faith by allowing your actions to be directed by His rod and staff…(The Word and the Confidence of His working in you)
Shalom – and I mean Shalom!
