Fear Not

Friday 14 July
READ: Joel 2: 21 - 27
MORE LESSON: Isa. 41: 14-20

If there is one thing that greatly limits people in actualising their destiny, it is fear. There are lots of opportunities awaiting people every day but fear prevents men from maximising opportunity. People are afraid of investing, doing business or starting a project. They wonder how they will cope and whether things will work out or not. These are the days of diverse kinds of fear and multiple anxiety. A person graduates from school and is afraid whether he will get a job or not. Another gets a job and he is afraid whether his appointment will be confirmed or he will be relieved of his job. Young people who have reached marriageable age are afraid of getting married because of the economic situation. In times like this only the Word of God can come through for you.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength: Joel 2:21-22. The Word of the Lord for you today is 'fear not, for the Lord will do great things.' Do not let fear cripple you, go ahead and do what you have to do, rest assured that the Lord will back you up. Do you not know that if the animals were afraid of stepping out in the morning to look for food because there are predators out there in the field, those animals would die of starvation in their holes. The beasts of the field conquer fear daily, that is why you see them roaming around looking for food to eat. If the beasts do not allow fear to prevent them from going about what they need to do daily, then you will overcome fear in the name of Jesus Christ.
When you conquer fear and you step out in faith, the wilderness will become a fruitful field for you and the fruitful field will become a mighty forest (Isa. 32: 15). It is time for you to bear fruit and the first thing to conquer is the fear of stepping out. Remember that He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. So when the world cringes in fear, then it is time for you to leap in faith. The old song writer did a great work when he wrote: “Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely..., have faith in God in your pains and sorrows... have faith in God though all else fails about you, have faith in God, He provides for his own, He cannot fail though all kingdom shall perish, He rules and reigns upon His throne!”

Prayer/Action
* Break the hold of fear off your life, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray for grace to face each day with full courage to conquer, in Jesus’ name.
Recall the things that have made you afraid and loudly say NO to them.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, You are my dwelling place from generation to generation, therefore safety, joy and happiness shall be my portion throughout my years, in the mighty name of Jesus.