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Overshadowed

5 FebMar2017 CWHarticle// Craig W. Hagin

THERE'S NO QUESTION about it, the world is a crazy place right now. When we look around, it's easy to see that things going on today are just like it was told in the Bible. In Second Timothy 3:1, the Apostle Paul wrote, "In the last days there will be very difficult times" (NLT). He goes on to say that people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God (vs. 2 NLT). Paul's description sounds a lot like today.

Because of what's happening in the world, many Christians are living in fear. We have to realize that we can't be in faith and fear at the same time. If we're in fear, we're really allowing the devil to control that area of our life.


When we identify where fear comes from and how to stand against it, we can live in peace and enjoy life.


The True Source of Fear

Before Paul talked about the difficulties that would occur in the last days he said, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7 NKJV). Fear does not come from God. It comes from the devil. Jesus said in John 10:10 that it's the devil who "comes to steal, kill, and destroy." The devil uses fear as a tool to rob us of what belongs to us in Christ.

The Bible tells us that we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7). Satan is not afraid of us, but he is afraid of the power and authority that we have in the Name of Jesus.


Instead of fear we should have power. God gives us power to overcome and move forward. Second Timothy 1:7 also says that God has given us His love. Love never fails. It's the way to combat the hate that is so prevalent today.


God Is on Our Side

Everywhere we go, God is with us. He's with us 24/7/365. That alone can give us peace in the midst of turmoil. When we call upon God, He will help us and guide us. Since God is on our side, we should brush off fear when it tries to come on us.

Jesus went on to say in John 10:10, "I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly." Basically, Jesus is saying that even though the thief (Satan) is trying to steal from us, we should still enjoy our lives regardless of what he does.

God has given us the answer of how to stand against the devil. In Ephesians chapter 6, we are told to put on the God's full armor to stand against him.

EPHESIANS 6:12–13 (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.


No matter what happens around us, we are told to keep standing. The devil is a bad guy, and he's out to destroy us. But he can't because God is with us. God is also for us and because He is, we can live in peace when the world is in turmoil.


A Promise of His Protection

There are many promises in the Bible of God's protection. They are given so we don't have to be afraid of anything.

From a young age my mother taught my sister and me Psalm 91. We've prayed it over our family for as long as I can remember. I believe this psalm needs to be big in every believer's life because it provides protection.

Psalm 91:1 says, "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (NLT).

Every time we go somewhere, we can be assured that we're being overshadowed. God has placed a hedge of protection around us. He is in control and we don't have to worry.

This is why we can "walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil" (Ps. 23:4). It's not about death's shadow. It's about God Who is overshadowing us. Wherever we go and whatever we do, God is there. We find protection under His shadow. We don't have to fear when we know that He is always there.

No matter what happens in the world, we can live without fear. We can enjoy life for we have been given a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.


FAITH NUGGET

Our Prince of Peace

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" —Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

If we constantly look at how bad a situation is, peace will elude us. If we always wonder, "What are we going to do?" or "How are we going to make it?", fear will grip our hearts.

Peace comes when our eyes are fixed on the Lord. So let's make up our minds to always keep our focus on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. That's where our peace comes from.