Forgotten Promises Resurrected, Psalms 23:4

Psalms 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Don't Doubt

Some will possibly say that Psalm 23:4 for is not a promise from God/Jesus because the verse was written by King David and his own words.  For those people, I would like to remind you of two facts.  First, Acts 13:22: David I’d know by God as, “a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.”  Second, 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

I think, more now than ever before in history, fear is being used to manipulate the way people think and react.  When you make a decision out of fear it’s more often than not going to be an irrational decision. We as humans can be “fear mongered” into a lot of bad choices that if it wasn’t for “fear” we would never consider that choice.  Fear, in this sense, is your enemy.  Let me use an example that I’m fairly certain that most people reading this will relate to.  That is the “fear of missing out”. You know, when you see an amazing deal, the one that is almost too good to be true, that you just must take advantage of.  The only catch is you must do it now!  Tomorrow will be too late.  Well, in a sense, tomorrow would be too late, for them because you will have had time to really think about it and realize what you are doing and that you really don't need it or want it. Furthermore, my philosophy, if it's available today then it will most likely be available tomorrow but if it's not, I really didn't need it anyway.

To get down to brass tacks, Whether you realize it or not we are at war.  We have been at war since the fall of Adam and Eve.  As you may have guessed, this is a spiritual war and our adversary, Satan also known as the thief, has the mission to kill, steal, and destroy and believe me, you are in his sights.  One of his methods to kill, steal and destroy is to get you to go along with him is through fear.  In most cases you’ll be none the wiser.  However, there is hope. God warned us a long time ago (around 750 BC) when He pronounced in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”  That warning tells me that we need to be diligent in gaining knowledge about God.  How do we do that, it may seem simplistic, but one way is to read, study and meditate on the Holy Bible.  In doing so, you’d find out that Jesus said to

“FEAR NOT” in one form or fashion 365 times in the New Testament.  Then couple that with John 10:10, which you’ll recognize the first part of the verse from above, Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly.  Think about that statement for a minute.  What comes to mind when you think of more abundantly?  It would be logical to most that we would think life more abundantly could mean a big house, new cars or perpetual vacations.  But, wait a minute, let’s put into context with some of the other things Jesus said.  He said in Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say:  “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.What can man do to me?” Or, John 8:36, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Or, Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and overall the power of the enemy, and nothing shall I buy any means hurt you.” Does this give you a different understanding of the word, "abundantly"? A life with no fear, a life where you never alone, a life where you have authority over evil... Man, I say, "Where do I sign up"? And these are just a few of the promises Jesus gave us. Has the realization hit you yet? Let me help you out, if we don’t know the promises Jesus gave us how are we going to trust and have full faith in Jesus?  How are we going to stand firm on the Word of God when we don"t know the Word of God? For example, when Satan attacked Jesus, your Bible more than likely says tempted, but in actuality it was a full frontal attack on Jesus. But Jesus was not phased in the slightest because He knew the written Word of God. Remember when Satan said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Jesus responded,

"It is written, Man shall not live ny bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". You may say you have faith and trust in Jesus, you may say you are His ambassador, but if you don’t realize or know the power and authority vested in you through Jesus you will not be as effective as you have the potential of being.  

Where do you stand, prepared or unprepared?

That brings me to this quote from Vince Lombardi,

“Everyone has a will to win, but very few have the will to prepare to win.”

Lastly: here is an incredible song by Jon Reddick titled, "No Fear".  I hope it touches your heart as much as it touches mine.

https://youtu.be/GYtUec8mzak?si=nEbn_oq4KdPTF1DD

May you always walk in the Truth!