When we acknowledge that God is greater than all forces be it physical or spiritual, it changes our whole perspective about His rights and sovereignty. We find ourselves submitting to Him and trusting Him to do what’s best. Though we may not understand why He allows what He does in this world, we rest in the confidence that in the end He triumphs over all. We don’t have to understand everything to trust Him. He is GOD, the One of whom there is none greater! Mike Johnson reminded us this week in his address to Congress that the motto of our nation is “In God We Trust” and that our rights do not come from government but from God Himself. The words of 1 Chronicles 29: 11-13 declares: “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, Our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious Name!” This same truth was echoed by Peter in Acts 10: 34-36: “I must certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.)” For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God. (Hebrews 10: 31) For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptable with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.” This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe! The world is full of distrust, fear, and uncertainty. We must remember that Satan’s greatest weapons against us is pride, control and fear. We must not allow ourselves to be influenced by negative messages that take our eyes off Christ. We must focus on the truth of Scripture and put our confidence in almighty God who is greater than any forces either natural or supernatural! Facing each day with His strength will drive away doubt and anxiety.
God has the power and desire to be with us in the midst of our fears. Remembering this will enable us to take the next step of faithfulness in our lives. How? Because our Great God is with us! We can continue to fight and to believe Jesus has promised to be with us an in us! 1 John 4:4 states, “You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” The power of God, specifically Jesus Christ, dwelling within a believer is stronger than any external force, including the devil and his emissaries. Jesus has already overcome the enemy and when we accept Him as Savior the Holy Spirit resides in us and is more powerful than any spiritual opposition. “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Col. 2:15) This is a reminder that spiritual victory and strength is available to us through faith—trusting in and relying on God.
The truth is clear--fear God and we’ll have nothing else to fear, because there is no one and nothing greater to fear than Him. Many people are afraid a multitude of things, but they may not fear God. To fear God means we acknowledge and respect His Holiness and power. In addition, it means to recognize our need for His wisdom and forgiveness. Also, those who fear Him are promised many blessings contained in the Bible. The more we get to know the God of the Bible, the more we should find ourselves concluding that He is greater than all other forces. It is a day by day walk with God learning to cast off fear and doubt and trust God no matter what. Josh Billings said: “Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on the stuff he’s made of.” Will our fears make us or break us?
In troubled times like these with threats to our health, families and livelihoods fear and anxiety can become constant companions, propelling us into a downward emotional spiral and feelings of hopelessness and despair. The spiritual warfare is more tangible than ever before. Whereas years ago, it was done in secret, but now is open, and public occult demonic activity is increasing in numerous places in plain sight! We are facing principalities and powers in heavenly places and here on earth, and we must fight as the saints of old, with the spiritual weapons of faith, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Ultimately it IS HIS battle. We know, deep in our hearts, that bad things do not need to be feared. We know this because our Great God is at work behind the scenes, bringing good out of what seems bad for every person who claims allegiance to Him. The world has been rigged by the enemy to distract us and keep us in the dark. Kay Arthur encourages us with these words: “Knowing God enables us, as believers, to display strength in times of stress and take action when the rest of the world seems to be immobile.” In 26 books of the Bible on 95 different occasions God commands: “Fear not, do not be afraid, do not fear.”
The great war being fought on the battleground of humanity itself, has, from the Lord’s perspective, already been won. Messiah’s victory at the cross resounds through history in every direction of time and space. In this sense, the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s, whose triumph over sin, death, and evil was perfectly accomplished there. And since God exists beyond time and space, it’s already over in His world. These are definitely prophetic days with the reality of those already fulfilled, but others not yet. Even as evils increase all around, we’re participating in both…a present war and a present victory. And so, we carry both…responsibility and confidence. Our confidence stands firmly in the resurrection and authority of the Lord Jesus as He sits at the right hand of the Father. And since we’re not fighting in our own strength we can declare, “The battle is the Lord’s.”
Jesus declared that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, and He has extended this authority to His followers. In Matthew 28: 18 Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” This authority has been delegated to believers by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. In Luke 19:19 Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall be any means hurt you.” We as believers are also reminded that as the body of Christ, His authority is perpetuated through the Body. In Matthew 16: 19 Jesus promised that “whatever is bound on earth is bound in heaven.” In the Greek text this passage suggests that what is bound or loosed on earth has already been determined in heaven, indicating that the church’s actions must be in harmony with God’s eternal plan. Jesus gives His followers the authority to act in His Name, to overcome the power of the enemy, and to carry out His mission on earth. This authority is a gift from Jesus, and it is meant to be used in the service of God and His kingdom. God takes action to protect His people called by His name. In Isaiah 54: 17 the Bible states that “no weapon formed against you shall prosper” when it aligns with God who promises protection and victory over adversity. There is another powerful message of hope and assurance in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” These Bible verses are a source of strength and courage for us as we trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God!
Our Great God loves us and is truly “a very present help in trouble.” Nothing takes Him by surprise, and nothing can thwart His will. He tells us, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.” (Isaiah 46: 9-10) God cares for us and will be with us no matter what befalls us, “for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.” (Ps. 103:11) Truly, “as a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.” He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust.” (Ps. 103: 13-14) Yes, God knows very well how weak and frail we are, how prone we are to fears and anxieties in life, and how easily we can feel overwhelmed—and He looks on us with compassion. The more we ponder His grace and love and fatherly care for us, the more our hearts will overflow with grateful love and peace. And when we turn to Him, we will find His arms open and waiting. Truly, our holy hope is our Great God and His Son, Jesus Christ, who alone can give us the help and comfort we need in these difficult days.
How do we move from fear to fear not? The enemy may attack with lies, deceptions, and threats of every kind, and he will…our defense is the Lord, what He has spoken, who He is, what He has done, and what He is doing in and through us. Our defense, and our offense, are Jesus’s victory and His Word, and this present battle truly is the Lord’s. Let’s take it to heart—“The battle is the Lord’s and He is Greater!” We must stand and declare His victory and His truth in the midst of a sea of humanity desperate for forgiveness, hope, love and peace.
Apart from God, we can do nothing. God’s deepest desire for us is that we learn to depend on Him in every situation. Let us consider David’s instructions to Solomon in 1 Chron. 28: 9-10: “Know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you…Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work of the LORD is finished!” Like the song says, “He’s still working on me to make me what He wants me to be!”
In Ephesians 6: 10 we are instructed to “stand in the power of His might” which encourages believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might—relying on God’s strength rather than on ours. We must trust in the strength of our Great God that is stronger that life’s challenges and the temptations and attacks of the enemy. Here are some ways that we can live the fearless life God created us to enjoy:
Turn away from Satan’s traps of doubt, fear and discouragement and look to Jesus casting our burdens on Him. He knows how to encourage us and lift us up to continue to walk in faith. Learn to say “I trust You, Jesus” in response to whatever happens to us. Set a goal to read God’s Word each day. This is the best way to combat fear and doubt. The Book of Psalms provides prayers and promises to battle the emotions of fear, doubt, loneliness, and discouragement. God will not fail us. Prayer is essential in fighting fear and doubt. God is the solution to all our needs. He wants us to trust Him with all our needs. Satan does not want us to go to God for help. God is waiting on us to call on Him! THERE IS NO FEAR—GOD IS HERE AND HE IS GREATER!