Where do you run when the going gets tough?
Who do you seek for comfort or someone’s counsel? Do you have a safe hiding place?
Can you say with confidence the LORD is my refuge and peace?
Oftentimes we turn to God in crisis mode. It is when we hear the doctor say the big C word, cancer, fear comes and grips our heart. If the boss calls you in to say the office is downsizing and you’re fired. Gulp!
Then we look in the heart of our toolbox to find an anchor for our soul. If you have studied and hidden the Word of God in your heart, then it is much easier to navigate when devastating news comes to your ears. The lump is still choking you when fear knocks at your heart door but, will faith answer?
It is in times of peace soldiers go to boot camp. And it is in times of peace we need to fill our arsenals.
When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he responded with “it is written “. Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians that the Word of God in our mouth is a sword. Before we can speak it with the authority of the Sword, we must have it rooted in our belief system.
Filling your arsenal with the Word of God is knowing the Word in your heart .
Knowing the multifaceted attributes of God wil increase the caliber of your confidence.
Do you know El Roi or Jehovah Shammah for when you feel alone? When sickness knocks on the door do you know Jehovah Jireh and El Shaddai?
Meditating on who God is and knowing that He is consistent will fortify your resolve, enrich your worship, and fill your heart with joy to replace the anxiety.
This is the mandate God has placed on my heart, to make Him known and to bring peace to His people.
In Proverbs we are told to get wisdom and while we are at it get understanding or knowledge. It is with knowledge that we plant God’s Word in the toolbox of our heart so that when we need it it is readily accessible.
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding.
Having knowledge is vital, it is like the blood flowing through our veins.
However, our thoughts of old can sabotage the effectiveness of standing and not wavering. These thoughts are like cholesterol in our veins that slow down the life giving flow of faith.
It is vital to our spiritual health to arrest wayward thoughts that do not agree with God’s thoughts and ways.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul gives you the instruction that we can change our thinking patterns and cause yourself to think in agreement with the Word of God.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
Choose this day to walk in the ways of God and not be tossed around like waves at the seashore. Romans 12:1 puts it this way, “Do not be conformed to the world”.
This verse brings to my mind a clump of clay or perhaps a “Gumby” toy that is stretched and twisted every which way.
The world’s ways will pull you into many directions, it will cause you to be tangled up and trip on your own feet.
The way of the Lord will strengthen you and set your feet on the rock. So that you can stand strong when the wind and waves come to steal your peace. Joshua told the people to “choose this day whom you will serve”. And in Deuteronomy God not only told the people to choose who to serve, but he told them the answer.
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
When you choose life, you study to gain knowledge which prepares your heart with the ammo of the Word so that no matter the strategy of the enemy, he is no match for you standing on the Rock equipped with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit!