Be Strong and Do Not Fear

As we all know, there are many people living in fear of all kinds of things today. Satan wants to control us with fear. It is a way that he hinders us from doing what God wants us to do. This is even true for some believers, who allow fear to grip them. That is not God's will for anyone.

Isaiah foresaw a day when God would destroy the enemies of His people. (Isaiah 35:4) God told Isaiah to say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you." The same message applies to us, as believers, at this present time. In fact, He already has defeated our enemies.

The Bible is clear that God doesn't want us to live in fear of other people or of Satan and his demons. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7) If we have fear, our love for the Lord is not what it should be, because perfect or mature love casts out fear.(I John 4:18) We are to live from the victory Christ accomplished on the cross.

Jesus defeated Satan, sin, and the grave by dying on the cross for our sins and taking our place. Then, I believe He proclaimed His victory to Satan's forces in Hades after His death, so the devil knows he is defeated. Our defeated foe is simply continuing to fight until Jesus returns to throw him into the Lake of Fire forever. There is no need to us to fear him or anyone forever.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 37-39.