Jun 26thDevotion Matthew 10:28 Courageous, Strong And In Peace

Matthew 10:28  And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you.

Daniel 10:19 – And He said, “You who are treasured, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I felt strengthened and said, “May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

 Matthew 10:28.  Jesus told us not to be afraid of anything or anyone that is not God.  He said our reverence belongs to God, not to man.  Really, what can any person do to us that God does not allow.  And if God allows, then don’t we say “Your will Lord not mine?”  With the Lord with us, what is it or who is it that causes fear.  Since we know and trust the Lord and fear should not be a part of our lives.

Deuteronomy 31:6.  The Lord’s message to Moses was to be strong and courageous and to not fear because God Almighty will be with him.  Moses was God’s man and would use him to minister to His people.  God with Him, who can be against him?  And it is the same way for us.  Paul wrote in Romans 8:31b “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  Since that is true we should only be afraid when God is afraid and He is never, ever is afraid.  We know that if the Lord has something for us to do we are utterly safe in Him.  And if we are here, then the Lord has things for us to do.  Fear not!  Praise God!

Daniel 10:19.  God also told the great prophet Daniel to not be afraid.  With Daniel He added a wonderful and beautiful sentiment.  He told Daniel that he was treasured by God and so he should not only not be afraid, but that he should have peace.  All who serve God should be known for having peace through the fire because peace before the fire and after the fire is easy for everyone.  We should have peace through the fire because He, like He did with Moses, treasures us.  Isaac did not try to run from his old father as his father built an altar to sacrifice him on.  He let his father bind him and put him on the altar even though he knew it meant that his father intended to plunge a knife into his chest and then burn his dead body, Isaac had faith and peace.  Isaac let himself be bound, then placed on the altar, and did not flinch as Abraham’s hand, with the knife in it, began its downward descent toward his chest. We know that Isaac did not panic.  He obeyed and his peace was in the faith and belief that he had in His God and in his father. (Genesis 22:1-9).  Abraham also had peace in knowing God and in knowing that God had a plan.  He trusted God and was about to drive the knife into Isaac’s chest because he believed that God would work it all out for His perfect and surpassing will.  Abraham was in peace because he knew and trusted the Lord.  Daniel was in peace because he knew and trusted the Lord.  Isaac was in peace because he knew and trusted the Lord.

Acts 23:11.  When the Jewish leaders had riled up a crowd against the Apostle Paul so badly that the soldiers thought the mob would tear Paul apart, the Lord spoke to Paul to be courageous and Paul, having heard from the Lord, was at peace and ready to do whatever the Lord asked Him to do.  Paul knew the Lord and trusted the Lord so Paul had peace.

In John 14:27 Jesus told Paul “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  It is because Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Daniel and Paul all knew the Lord that through the hardest trials they could have peace.  All of them not only knew of the Lord, they knew Him.  If one truly knows the Lord, then that one will trust Him.  If we know Him and trust Him then come what may we will have peace.  Our peace not based on who we are or any ability we might have, but is based on Jesus and knowing that He is more than enough in any scenario.  This may sound too incredible to believe.  Some would say that is too much, after all, we are only human.  But know that we who serve the Lord are not “only” human.  We are human with God inside. (1 Corinthians 6:19)  That makes us a whole new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17) And who we have become can have peace through the trials because of Jesus.  Amen?  Amen and praise the Lord!

Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace