Freedom from ...

Fear.

I think this is something that plagues us as a society today but we don't talk about it, especially in the church. I know that as Pastor Robert has been speaking in this series about the blessed life, some of these issues have been raised in my own heart. Even the last few days I have been tempted to fear. When it does happen I pray that the Lord would help my unbelief. I ask that He would take what I beleive in my heart and make it override my head.

So this morning as I was studying and doing a little devotional, He kept encouraging me. I read Psalm 34.

Ps 34:4-6

4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
NLT

Ps 34:8-10

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
9 Let the LORD's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.
NLT

Ps 34:17-20

17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous face many troubles,
but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.
20 For the LORD protects them from harm —
not one of their bones will be broken!
NLT

Very powerful scripture. Then I was reading in a journal that I wrote years ago and came upon a page that simply had one thing written in it; a quote by Matthew Henry: "Faith in God will set us above the ensnaring fear of man."

Oh yeah, on the way to work I was listening to the new Hillsong album and the song "Healer" came on. There's some inspiration that'll help cure what ails ya.

As I opened the journal from years ago, a bookmark fell out that had a scripture on it:

Ps 28:7
7 The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger.
I trust in him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
NLT
then I opened my prayer journal and was able to write down several answers to prayer!

Let me tell you, whatever it is, He is able! If you need encouraging today, just spend a little time with the Lord; He's good for it.