Warriors Arise: June 13, 2023
Matthew 2:19-23 (NKJV) Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Fear can paralyze us. We can allow it to keep us from what God has told us to do. This passage above answers the question, "Does God use our fears to direct us?" I would say absolutely; however, I wouldn't want someone to take this too far. God does not want us to be in fear all the time. He doesn't want us to be afraid of everything and everyone. He doesn't want us paralyzed with fear. When I checked the definition of "afraid" in this context above, it said to be alarmed. God told them to return. So, Joseph knew God would protect them. This was God's Son. He hadn't even begun what He was sent to do.
Joseph didn't allow his fears to stop him from moving forward. He didn't tell Mary, "Herod is dead, but his ruthless son, Archelaus is reigning now. We are headed back to Egypt. God must have gotten it wrong." Instead, he allowed God to move through his fear to keep him going. He allowed God to direct his path to the exact place he was to take Mary and Jesus. He didn't allow the fear to paralyze him; he allowed his fears to move him continue to walk with God. There are times we when have to "do it scared".
Mary had to "do it scared", when she agreed to be pregnant without a husband. Joseph had to up and leave Bethlehem not knowing what Egypt would hold for them. Again, in this situation, Joseph had to return to Israel. He had to "do it scared." Joseph and Mary did not allow their fears to paralyze them. They used the their fear to empower them to step into agreement with God's plans for them. They had to trust God would warn them, if need be, and they would get Jesus out safely. God had gotten a message to Mary and Joseph before. He would do it again, if they needed the direction. They would trust God and do it scared. They would do what God directed them to do scared. They would not remain in Egypt nor return. They would go forward with God even though they were afraid.
Most of us could say we have been in situations, having to make decisions in which we were afraid. We have felt compelled by God as He directed us. We had to pull ourselves together. We had to put fear in its place. Fear would be the empowerment to do what God said to do. We use fear to be the fuel to get there. We use fear as bumpers to know where to stop and when to go as things unfold along the way. We use fear to get established in the place God has for us.
Fear is to be put in the right place. When I am afraid, I redirect the fear. Instead of allowing it to remain in my mind and consume every thought, I push it into my spirit and allow Holy Spirit to use it to speak loud and clear. I stop my mind from being overcome with fear and hopeless thoughts by moving the fear into the hands of Holy Spirit. Even though I may be shaking inside, I step forward and do as God directs. I have learned when I put my fears in the hands of Holy Spirit, the empowerment to move forward in what God has said compels me to accomplish the task with God. It is odd how people think that I am so bold and courageous. If they could only see the inside of me, they would know it took every bit of God holding the reigns on my fear that has given me what was necessary to accomplish what He put into my hands to do.
Father, thank You for speaking to me. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to move forward with You. Thank You for the purpose You have placed in my life. Thank You for receiving my fear and knowing what to do with it. Thank You for turning my fear into fuel to overcome the enemy and walk with You into what You have for me. I pray I will always know to place my fear in Your hands and walk with You in the plans You have for me. You are amazing in all of Your ways and I worship You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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