This is one of my favourite sections of scripture. In verse 1 we are exhorted to close our eyes and think of all those amazing people in the Bible who have gone before us and achieved great things in faith. Think of Moses who led the whole nation of Israel out of Egypt, parting a sea on the way (Ex 12:50-14:31). Reflect on Abraham, King David, Gideon and so many more (Gen; 1 Sam; 2 Sam; Judges 6-8). In the New Testament, we read how the apostle Paul preached about Jesus across Asia and into Europe with signs, wonders and miracles (Acts 9:20-31; 12:25-14:28; 15:36-28:31). These should fire up our faith to be able to lay aside everything that gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus. Our Christian life is a race, a life of growing to be more like Jesus and being used by Him to change the world around us.

In verse 2 we are challenged to keep focused on Jesus. He, through His life, death and resurrection gave us faith to embrace Christianity. Through the words of Jesus, our faith can grow to maturity (Rom 10:17). We need to consider the ultimate example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! He saw with joy beyond the cross to the results of His sacrifice; He saw you and me and millions of others – saved, restored and in fellowship with God for all of eternity.

In verse 3 we are challenged that when we get weary and discouraged with the opposition we may face as Christians we should stop and consider the hostility Jesus had to face on earth. Just remember that like Jesus our final destination is with God in heaven. That should spur us all on, amen?

“What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You” (Ps 56:3; AMPC). This was written by David, a brave warrior who was called a man after God’s heart (1 Sam 13:14). Even though the Bible tells us 365 times not to be afraid, David admitted to fear. If we are all honest, we would probably say the same thing, I know I would. One of the devil’s frequent tricks is to whisper lies in our ear about fear. However, we all know the devil is a liar so what does God have to say about fear? He says He has “not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Tim 1:7; NKJV) and He also says “fear not” throughout the Bible. For example, “Fear not for I am with you” (Isa 41:10; ESV), “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Mark 6:50; NKJV). One of my favourites is “Fear not, believe only” (Luke 8:50; NKJV).

However, what do we do when those fearful thoughts bombard us? 2 Cor 10:5 tells us to, “take every thought captive” (CSB), in other words, cast them out of your mind and replace them with scriptures pertaining to whatever you are fearful about – whether it be health, finances, children etc. Also speak peace over your mind; remind yourself that you have “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7; NKJV) and God “will keep you in perfect peace” (Isa 26:3; NKJV). You may have to keep doing this over and over but keep doing it because it is a step of faith; the more you speak it, the more you believe it and the more you will experience it. “I sought the Lord and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears” (Ps 34:4; NKJV).

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress; my God, in Him will I trust” (Ps 91; 1-2; NKJV). If we walk in an intimate, ongoing relationship with Him, we can find refuge under God’s protective shadow, His fortress. That should make us all feel secure and confident in life. King David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Ps 23:4; NKJV). How often when a young child is bullied, he will stick his chest out and say “my dad will deal with you if you try to push me around.” Our heavenly dad is the Father of all Fathers!

There are so many Bible verses dealing with God’s protection of us (1 John 5:18, for example). God guards us from all the works of the devil (2 Thess 3:3), He is our Rock (2 Sam 22:3; Ps 62:2), our Shield (2 Sam 22:3; Ps 3:3), our Strong Tower (Prov 18:10) and He delivers us from all our afflictions (Ps 34:19). Jesus gave us God’s authority and victory over all the works of the devil, so that nothing can hurt us (Luke 10:19). It’s great to know that God never sleeps (Ps 121:4), He will never leave us or forsake us (Deut 31:6) and no one can ever snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28). God has given us armour to use to use to resist and overcome all the assaults of the enemy (Eph 6:13-18). Read and meditate on all the verses given above and build up your faith to dwell under God’s protective shadow, in His fortress!

Have you ever heard the expression, “I didn’t sign up for this?” Sometimes in life the devil throws things at us that we aren’t expecting; it’s what the Bible calls trials and tribulations. What is the Biblical way to deal with these heavy burdens? Psalm 55:22 says, “Give your burdens to the Lord and He will take care of you” (NLT). (See also Ps 37:5). This is reiterated in the New Testament in 1 Peter 5:7 which says, “Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you” (NKJV). If we do what these verses say and lean into God, He will help us, comfort us and give us the strength to go through these trials without giving up. “Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Ps 37:24; NLT). (See also Ps 23:4, Isa 43:2.) Matt 11:28,29 says that if we go to God when we are burdened down, He will ease the load, give us rest and refresh us. In other words, He will minister to us and encourage us.

We’ve heard it said “our attitude determines our altitude.” Feeling sorry for ourselves isn’t the answer but that is what the flesh wants to do. Prov 24:10 says, “if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small” (ESV). Instead, this is the time to praise the Lord and trust Him for His intervention (Jas 1:2, 2 Chron 20:20-25, Acts 16:25-26). “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab 3:17,18; ESV). Give those burdens to God today, He will see you through.

“For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful, yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose)” (Heb 12:11; AMP). God disciplines us to help us grow up into Christlikeness, dedicated to serving God and spreading the gospel. God disciplines those He loves (Rev 3:19). Jesus likened Himself to a vine and we, the branches in the vine, saying that the Father prunes the branches to become more and more fruitful (John 15:1-2). God does not use sickness or any kind of misfortune to prune or discipline us.

In Hebrews 12:5-12 (NKJV) we are told that God chastens us, the Greek word for chasten can also be translated discipline or instruct. He chastens His sons and (daughters) whom He loves (Heb 12:6). The writer of Hebrews says that if we don’t receive chastening, we are “illegitimate and not sons” (Heb 12:8) God uses His word to chasten or instruct us. As we read and study, we will come across verses that jump out at us and in some cases challenge us to change, we may respond with an “ouch.” Don’t skip those verses that bring discipline or call for change, God knows you need to respond, so you can grow. I came across this verse in Proverbs 12:1 (NKJV), “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge. But he who hates correction is stupid.” Wow, that’s blunt and but certainly got my attention! God loves us and wants us to grow into all His fullness, so let’s take note of His discipline and respond. Is that an amen or another ouch?