Fear and Trust

QUESTION: Fear and Trust - A Broader Vision

ANSWER:

Fear and Trust – Insights from God’s Word
That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life? - 2 Corinthians 3:7-8

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. - Habakkuk 2:1

Fear and Trust – A Broader Vision
Prayer: Once again, my King, I stand in awe and trembling before You as I recognize Your voice and draw near to hear what it is You would have to say. Once again I realize how much You want me and all of Your kids to recognize Your desire to reveal Yourself to us and to take us deeper in our own understanding of Your Holy Spirit’s Presence within us.

I have often asked You to help me be a reflection of Your glory -- and while I know that is a really good thing -- I can see today I need to go far deeper than that. So today, Jesus, I ask You to help me live in Your glory. I ask to have my life emit such a strong sense of Your Presence within, that it becomes contagious to others.

You brought me into this place this morning and You challenged me as You revealed Your heart to me and showed me that I am not to fear. You chastened me -- and then You loved and forgave me. You are beyond anything my human words can express. I tremble at the knowledge of Your holiness, and I grab on to Your truths which are setting me free.

This moment is tender and sweet and it is also riveting. I recognize how important it is to spend this time together -- and I tremble knowing You are in control. All I can do is bow my head and say," Holy, holy, holy -- You are holy!"

You are preparing me -- and those with a similar heart -- for a journey of increasing glory. You reveal Yourself so I will not falter in my own human weakness. You whisper Your secrets in my ear -- and You allow me the privilege of drawing closer to the flame of Your Presence.

Your brightness is growing, my King. The air stirs and the birds begin to sing. You share Yourself with us so we will be overcomers. You know our weaknesses and You show Yourself as our true strength.

In the midst of all the sadness I feel because of recent weather disasters -- I still see You at work. Your Body is awakening -- Your hands are joined with other hands, and Your feet are mobilizing for a charge up the mountain of despair and hopelessness that is everywhere.

I draw close to You in this moment, my King, knowing You are the only shelter I need. I draw close to You because You call my name and bring me near and silence my anxious thoughts filling me with Your peace. You shout out to all with ears to hear to come join You. The journey is beginning and we are marching towards a destination we cannot possibly comprehend. One step at a time -- one prayer at a time -- one helping hand at a time -- we are emerging from a cloud of darkness into a bright new expression of Your glory.

What a privilege You give me -- You give all of us -- with ears to hear and eyes to see. What a joy You share with us as we see with Your kingdom perspective as we look towards eternity. Even knowing we are not fully prepared for what lies ahead, I am covered with Your peace. Even knowing many will resist You as we come in Your Name -- I don’t fear. I admit I am saddened by those who will not receive You, but I am also grateful for the multitudes who do understand You, Your call and the times in which we live.

I fall to my knees in praise and gratitude. I join with the choirs of angels shouting, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3). You are sending me running to the top of my watchtower in this moment -- and what I do see astonishes me. I am trembling and in awe as You give me a broader vision. I know in this moment what to pray and how to pray -- so I bow my head in gratitude, thanking You that Your kingdom is being revealed -- right here, right now on this earth as it is in heaven! To You be all the honor and the glory!

Fear and Trust – Making it Personal
Reflect: I was challenged as I wrote this prayer. I also found myself needing to tremble just a bit as His heart of love for his people was revealed. As I prayed I knew He was challenging you and me to see Him as He is and to surrender anything that is preventing us from doing that. In my case I knew I was still struggling with the fear of man. I really thought I had overcome that, so this prayer was a life saving prayer for me. We need to remember how clever Satan is in his darkness, but we also need to humbly allow God to reveal our real condition -- and then allow Him to set us free. If God reveals something of His own nature to you -- please write that down. I have found patterns emerging from my journal entries that have saved my faith life and restored my hope during seasons of revelation. It is humbling, but God is an awesome God worthy of praise. He deserves our willingness to submit to His convictions as He alone knows the entire picture. My challenge to you: "Who do you trust?"