Jeremiah 42:11-12 NKJV Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the LORD, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. (12) And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.’
This Word from the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah came for a group of men who were on the run for killing a recently appointed governor in their homeland by the king of Babylon. They did so ignoring previous instructions of how they should respond. Now they were on the run and afraid they would never be able to safely return to their homeland. Having made a big mess of things they decided to consult the Lord through Jeremiah and resolved to do whatever they were instructed because they knew God would have the right answer for them, their families, and everyone involved.
Jer 42:6 Whether we like it or not, we will obey the LORD our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey Him, everything will turn out well for us.”
After they determined to follow God and His instructions no matter what, the word from Jeremiah came with instructions on what to do and it brought with it a peace and encouragement to FEAR NOT!
One day I was speaking to a young man who had violated his parole and was terrified of going back to prison. He was literally on the run and living in absolute fear of being found, turned in, or worse. The process of coming to this point in his life didn’t happen overnight. He had ran with the wrong crowd for years doing drugs, dealing drugs, and committing other types of crime associated with that scene. He was beside himself in fear, regret and desperate for hope.
During our conversation, he was reminded of the Father’s love for him and resolved to simply do whatever the Lord would have him do. Even though his circumstance had not yet changed and none of the options before him were pleasant, he began to experience peace. He knew that God was leading him to turn himself in and resolved to accept serving the remaining portion of his time in prison, confident that if he’ll just keep following and obeying the Lord that everything will turn out well for him.
Sometimes I don’t always want to do the right thing (what the Word and Spirit instruct), but I know that God is for me, with me, in me and faithful. When I resolve to do follow His Spirit and Word that agree, I can be confident in His leading and experience freedom from fear.
Fearless Fridays 