By Toni Ford
Have you found that it is easy for discouragement to set in when focusing too much on the news? The numerous conflicts among nations, the war in Israel, unrest on our college campuses here in the United States – all this can lead to many different emotions.
I have dear friends in Israel with whom I communicate with several times a week, and they are constantly encouraging me by saying, “Toni, no fear! Have no fear, our God is in control!” They are ones living in the middle of a war and going to their bunkers on a regular basis from all the bombing, and yet they are telling me to have no fear and that God is in control.
How can any of us live with that mindset? For me personally, I must turn to God’s Word for that is where truth lies!
This week, I’d like to share good news from His Word, which is the safest place to stand!
Jeremiah 29:11. “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That does not mean that life will get easier. The familiar verse in Jeremiah 29 we like to quote was written to people in captivity for 70 years. But the verse is still true. Regardless of what today brings, God is still God. God continues in Jeremiah 29:12-14: “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. ‘I will be found by you,’ says the Lord. ‘I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.’ God’s thoughts toward you are for peace. His plans in you are for healing. He promised the all-surpassing power of His love. He will accomplish His hope, His future and His well-being in you. When you seek Him, He hears you. He lets you find Him to bring you back from your captivity, whatever it is. His best for you is peace, wholeness and security.
Psalm 6: 2-3. “Adonai, do not rebuke me in Your anger! Do not discipline me in Your wrath. Be gracious to me, Adonai, for I am weak. Heal me, Adonai, for my bones are shuddering with fear.” The psalmist said that his body his soul was greatly troubled. Notice how the psalmist cried out to God about the truth as to how he was feeling. You can do the same, because our God is alive and listens to us still today. So, cry out to Him, and as a result of your openness and honesty, may you be blessed with the love of Christ for healing, a healing that goes deep in your bones. May peace and hope be restored to you. Be blessed in spirit, soul and body, and may the root cause of all disturbance of your peace be healed in His name. Let the power of the Holy Spirit address the lie and be set free!
Luke 4: 18. Jesus tells us that He would set the captives free. If you feel captive in any way, be blessed with His love, redemption and power to flood you and release you. Receive the compassion of Jesus to address every emotional concern. He is mighty enough to deal with depression or any type of emotional pain you are experiencing. Receive the light of His healing grace into everything that is out of God’s order!
2 Corinthians 12: 9-12. God said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” And Paul replied, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” May we be as Paul and be able to boast about our trials and afflictions by declaring that the power of Jesus is what has saved us, restored us and healed us!
Lord, we come to You today and pray that as we take time to focus on Your Word, we will be strengthened in our faith. We strive to keep our eyes on You and not the things of this world. As my friends in Israel encourage me, “Have no fear, God is in control!” Thank You for that truth!
If you would like continued prayer, feel free to email me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!