“Fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” (NKJV) Proverbs 29:25

If our time here in the Middle East and the things learned could be summarized in one verse, it would be Psalm 118:6, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” This lesson has been coming at me from a new angle these past weeks.

As a leader, I have repeatedly had the responsibility of telling people news which was not pleasant for them—fellow workers, locals and family members. These were unrelated events, but the basic task was the same: relate a truth I didn’t want to tell and they didn’t want to hear.

With each occurrence, I had a struggle with fear: what would the person say? Would I lose their friendship? Would there be negative repercussions for me personally? Would they become angry and tell me off?

Obedience, however, is not to be predicated on how easy or comfortable the assignment is. God leads us firmly and clearly. He is as gentle with us in His guidance as we let Him be! If I quench the Spirit by refusing to follow His lead, then I force God to use a stronger way to get my attention. He faithfully disciplines those He loves, including those who resist His leadership. But when we obey, fearing Him, not people, He can reward us the right way, taking us to the next step up in growth.

Knowing this, in each case, after much prayer, in fear and trembling I obeyed what I knew to be the Lord’s desire. And, in each case, in the end it worked out well.

Follow up on yesterday’s post.

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you…The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 14:13,14

When the people of Israel were faced with Pharaoh’s great army at the Red Sea, Moses directed them to look to God to fight the powerful enemies pursuing them.

As we face the daunting challenges here of official opposition and bureaucratic labyrinths, folks at home have been praying for God to fight for us. And the Living God, the Lord of Hosts, has been powerfully answering their prayers, giving progress on a number of fronts. Giving a waterfall of blessings. It’s a fulfillment of Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the Lord and do good, so shall you dwell in the land and truly you will be fed.”(KJV)

Here are a few examples, all related to the foundation we’ve been working to set up. It has been shackled for several months by opposition from various authorities and a lack of competent help. The Lord has used these difficulties to “prune” our plans so they fit what He wants, and then began setting us free to work. He accomplished this by:

• clearing up the police investigation against us.
• giving us an accountant who is well versed in how to handle customs matters for foundations
• giving us an experienced man who could advise us on what to do and what to avoid.
• giving us two new board members and providing a cooperative spirit among all the board members (a nice change from previous infighting).
• Most wonderfully, God is changing the heart of the woman in the government who has opposed us strongly, the woman I mentioned a couple of days ago, the one we’d been praying for God to bless. She wrote a letter asking us to help a man with TB of the bone. We are sure this is a “test” for us (we will definitely help this man) and see it as a possible breakthrough.

Folks interceded, God answered. Partnership successful. We are thankful for those who “prayed” their part.

Prayer: “Lord, today help me to believe that you are at work when I can see no answers to my prayers, to fear you, not people or events, to stand in awe of you before you answer. Help me to remember the truth of your Word: ‘The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them’ (Ps. 34:7). Amen.”

More on “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”Psalm 46:7

When King Hezekiah was unexpectedly faced with a huge army, he called on the Lord of Hosts and the enemy was vanquished.

Joshua, before the battle for Jericho, met with the captain of the Lord’s hosts and got his instructions for a victory.

And we wait for Him now, knowing He will help as we pray Psalm 25:2, “…in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.”

Right now, we are facing a minor battle. Friends in the States have sent us good used clothing to be distributed to poor people here, but the customs officials say we must pay very high taxes on them. Our lawyer says this is not what the law says, but the only way to counter the decision of the customs agents is to open a court case. This does not seem the best route, especially as court cases can drag on for years here.

We are powerless, so we are praying for God to do something about–and for–the person responsible for imposing the non-legal tax on our package. Maybe he would cause them to be promoted out of that position! No answer is in sight, but our Lord is fighting for us. We can praise Him now for whatever answer He chooses to give before it comes.

Prayer: “Lord, today help me to live in the light of your being the Lord of Hosts, trusting you to fight for me where I can’t fight for myself. Help me to pray first and work second, recognizing that without you I can do nothing. Glorify yourself in me as I trust in you. Amen.”

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”

Isaiah 40:28

What a wonder you are, O Triune God: the Powerful Ruler, Gracious Savior and Strong Shepherd. Isaiah wrote of your greatness in chapter 40, starting in verse10, “See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him.”

You, Lord God, the King of Glory, Almighty Ruler, Powerful Creator and Eternal Sustainer, are faithful to govern rightly with overwhelming power. No one can withstand you, no one can successfully resist your overall glorious plans. You will come at the perfect time to right all wrongs in grace and justice. Glory be to you.

“See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.” You are a generous and rich God with endless resources, who pours out blessing and grace and goodness on all people, and especially on your children.

You gift us with salvation, forgiveness, grace and goodness when we actually deserve punishment, suffering, death and destruction. Glory be to you. You have rewards, crowns and blessings in heavenly places awaiting those who love and follow the Lord Jesus

Prayer: “May you, Lord God, be lifted up in my life today through thoughts of thanksgiving, words of worship, actions of obedience and attitudes of trust, for you, as the Good Shepherd, are worthy of all exaltation and honor. Amen.”

2Co 4:6  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”

made his light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory

displayed in the face of Christ.

You, Jesus, have given us

— light from your Wisdom,

–conviction and guidance from your Spirit,

–transformation and insight through your Word and worship,

—enlightenment from other believers.

In you is life, in you is Light, in you is Love and in you I am free and fulfilled, forever.

Lord Jesus, to know you is such a wonder, to give you worship is such a privilege, to love you is such an honor.

You are the Creator,

you are the Guide,

the Protector,

the Beginner

and Ender of all.

To you alone belongs worship and power, glory and exaltation.