God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)NCV
A cloud of terror hung over the Valley of Elah as snarling threats and vile promises spewed from his mouth. The intimidator strutted along grassy slopes swinging an enormous club, his mammoth, ironclad feet pawing the ground like an irate bull, ready to attack. The huge, ugly monster was Goliath, a nine foot giant, the pride of Philistia. He wore massive armor; a bronze coat weighing 200 pounds, a solid iron spear, a heavy bronze helmet. The target of his ranting and raving was a frightened, helpless group of Israelites, cowering in their tents. For forty agonizing days, Goliath had come, taunting them, promising certain destruction and doom. The Israelites, paralyzed with fear, had given up all hope of escape, resigned to their tortured fate at the hand of this Philistine monster.
Then came day forty-one! I am certain, as the sun inched its way over the mountains that morning, that neither Goliath nor the Israelites had any idea that this day would be different. A young handsome teenager stepped into the valley of fear, fresh from the presence of God. David, the youngest in a family of eight boys could not believe the scene before him. Tossing the giant’s threats and obvious advantage aside, David refused to accept what he saw. Instead, he chose to believe what he knew in his heart; this giant was going down. With simple but certain faith and unreserved confidence in God, David stepped through the fear, ushering in the mighty presence and power of God. Goliath not only met David that day, He met the Lord of Heaven and earth. And the giant fell! Giants always fall in the presence of God.
We stand on the threshold of a new year – a new beginning! If you're like me, you face 2012 with mixed emotions. Personally, I'm thrilled to have survived 2011! There were certainly moments when I wondered if I would. I am so excited about a fresh start, a brand new set of days overflowing with new dreams and unmarked possibilities, but I also know this year is crammed full of the unknown, as well as a giant or two. If I am brutally honest, I have to admit the unknown fashions a pocket of fear in my heart where questions and doubts thrive.
The good news is - what lies ahead is no surprise to God. In fact, He has already been where we are going. That reason alone empowers us to face every tomorrow with hope, knowing whatever touches us passes through His hands, with His permission.
It's not God’s plan for us to dwell in fear or for fear to rule our lives. He has already set in motion the defeat and fall of every giant we will ever face. Our responsibility is to step through our fear, facing them in God’s power and with His promises. The Holy Spirit will guide the path of His truth to its destined mark, taking down the giants lurking in each tomorrow.
He is the same yesterday, today and forever! The days ahead are saturated with the memory of Goliath’s fall and trust in Almighty God, the Giant Killer.So I ask you, what is there to fear?
Here comes 2012 - like a clean slate filled with new beginnings and fresh starts. Will the lessons of 2011 make a difference for you?
Review it and ask ...
* What giants have I faced?
* Was my response right or wrong?
* How do the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ affect those responses?
* How do I typically handle fear?
* What giants will I face today?
* What changes do I need to make as I enter 2012?
Allow your heart and mind to look ahead to all that this year holds. God is faithful and He is sufficient for whatever it brings. Seek Him always.
* Praise Him for His faithfulness in your life.
* Guard your heart and mind against the darkness.
* Stand firm in His power and His presence.
* By faith lay every fear and worry at His feet.
* Trust He is with you every step of the way.
and remember to
* Pray instead of panic.
Until next year :)
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