Fearlessness: Walking with the Shield of Faith

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Psalm 56: 3

Sometimes life can give us more than we can handle. There are moments when our burdens topple the smooth plans we have made for our lives. Our natural tendency is to hold on to what we have, clutching tighter than before. However, God says we should do something different.

To walk truly fearlessly in the face of life’s threatening storms, we must fully place our trust in God. He wants us to see if we really believe what He says in His Word; and it begins with simply releasing our lives into His hands. When your life’s boat begins to rock upon the waves, God wants you to focus on Him more than ever; walk fearlessly upholding faith as your banner and shield; you must know who you are following. God does not lead us down dark alleys only to abandon us. He may take us through some of life’s tumultuous storms, holding our hands every step of the way.

The Daily Way by Michael Youssef

This morning I would like to tell you about Joni Erickson-Tada; you may know her story.
Fifty-three years ago, Joni suffered a diving accident in her teens,
she damaged her spine and so became a quadriplegic.
Sadly, she has no use in her arms and legs.
Joni’s recovery was extremely difficult and there were dark times.
She has written forty books and speaks all over the world.
Ken Tada, Joni’s wonderful husband, her carers and close friends give sacrificial service.
Joni says maybe it’s good to be a burden as it brings forth our own helplessness,
we step out beyond ourselves and live as Jesus lived.
Joni speaks from her heart.
Recently she injured her back and one night she lay in deep pain,
but felt that she couldn’t call her husband one more time;
so she prayed and told God she didn’t know that she could take the pain anymore.
Eventually Joni drifted back to sleep sustained by the Lord Jesus.
She remarked, Jesus must think that I can – ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’
With reference to the corona virus, Joni is encouraging us to develop new routines:
don’t just TV binge – read books, read God’s Word, turn inward and do something worthwhile.
She reminded the listening audience –

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1: 12 NIV®

Joni Erickson-Tada, an inspiring and remarkable Christian woman.

Michael Youssef comments, ‘Walking fearlessly with our heavenly Father means that we have come to a place of complete dependency upon Him, a place where we know he has his best in mind for us no matter what. The challenges that come our way can be conquered when we place our faith in Him. As our trust in God grows, we realise that while He will not shield us from life’s challenges, He will shield us from defeat’.

Let us pray:
Father God, help us to live free from fear as we place our faith and trust in you.
Help us to be calm despite what we are going through because we know that you are with us every step of the way,
help us to be compassionate to those around us who are suffering and don’t know you.
Let us put aside our own anxieties and be your hands and feet to them.
Help us not to lose heart but to stand still and see your salvation.
Please heal our world, our country of the ills which have brought us to this stage.
Father, please lift the darkness from us, lift this devastating invisible virus from our spirits, our bodies and our souls.

Amen

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7: 14 NIV®

Be still my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake,
all now mysterious shall be clear at last.
Be still my soul: the tempests still obey
his voice, who ruled them once on Galilee.

Words: Katharine von Schlegel

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.

Isaiah 41: 10 NIV®

Glynne Gordon-Carter