Shocked or Afraid
I remember when the US Forces went into Iraq to capture the rebel leader – Saddam Hussein. I can still remember General Norman Schwarzkopf describing the invasion as “Shock and Awe”! It was a combination of overwhelming power and displays of force. The idea was to demoralize the enemy with such a tremendous show of force. The reports out of Iraq were often about the power of the Republican Guard, Iraq’s “elite fighting force”. After the “Shock and Awe”, the invasion was over in 1 month.
As I was reading a bit of history of the people of Israel, I was reminded of their real “claim to fame” that Almighty God was with them. The people of the region had heard about their departure from Egypt and their march through the Red Sea. The amazing journey seemed to impress everyone but them. They arrive at the place where God is going to give them the land and the “scouts” or 12 Spies came back with fear in their report. The Lord tried to give them a pep talk, but it fell on deaf ears. Check this out…..
29 “But I said to you, ‘Don’t be shocked or afraid of them! 30 The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. 31 And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.’
32 “But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God, 33 who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. (Deuteronomy 1:29-33 NLT)
I am trying to live every day simply trusting in the Lord with my very life. There are so many variables that I want to control, but I simply can’t. There are so many people in my life that mean so much, but I’m not in control of their health, behavior or their success. I’m still learning to trust in the Lord with my whole heart and not be afraid. When I’m surprised, I’m reminded that He isn’t surprised. When I’m afraid, I need to remember that He is never afraid. He goes before me. He stands beside me.
I want to walk in steady, consistent obedience to the Lord. When I stumble and fall, I want to get back up and keep following Him. I’m so thankful for His Grace and forgiveness when I make a stupid decision that trips me up. I’m thankful for His Presence in me and He keeps reminding me to not be shocked or afraid.
Pressing On!
Dwayne