Replacing fear with fear

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The first sentence I wrote in my prayer journal this morning: “Lord, thank you that you are a God who speaks!”

Do you listen for God’s voice? Do you look for what He is teaching you? God is unchanging, but what He teaches us changes as we find ourselves in new circumstances, struggles, or seasons.

God speaks in many ways. A primary way He speaks is straight through His Word.

A friend sent me a sermon last night. I love David Platt. This is worth your 20 minutes if you are struggling to remember you need not fear. God is in control of EVERYTHING. Even though I’m about to share some highlights from this teaching, it’s still worth you watching in full.

David Platt showed me a new perspective of the story of Jesus calming the wind and waves. Jesus led His disciples INTO the storm. I’ve never considered this. He went on to point out that sometimes it’s our disobedience that leads us into storms, but sometimes it’s our obedience. Whoa!!!

There are simply some lessons we can only learn through the storm. No other way can we learn who God really is unless we see Him calming our winds and waves.

Now here is where God really began speaking to me. In this sermon, Platt makes note of Jesus asking why they were afraid. He was addressing the fear they carried that exposed their lack of faith. After Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, revealing His authority over nature, we see the disciples described as terrified. The translation of this form of the word is from a fear showing deep reverence and awe of God.

Holy fear. Reverent fear. Awe.

This morning my friend and mentor faithfully emailed out her daily verse.

Isaiah 8:12-13

“Don’t call everything a conspiracy like they do and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heavenly Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the One who should make you tremble.”

God continues to speak to me the message DO NOT FEAR. Now He is adding onto the message as He sees I’m beginning to allow His Words to change me. Now the message is to fear Him. He is worthy of my holy, reverent fear. He is God.

When I see God for who He truly is, I have no reason to fear. Nothing in life or death has power over me. He is God. I’m secure in Him.

My prayer for you today is to rebuke fear in the name of Jesus. Fear has no business in your life. Replace fear birthed in hell with a holy fear of God which causes everything in us to stand down.