Reliable Word of Peace

We have been shown five precious words from our week’s text and we have been granted grace and favour to not just look at and discuss the first word, but we have, every single child of the Father, been encouraged. That first Word fed to us stated that our Father is still our promise-keeping God. He speaks to His children.

Today we carry on with the true knowledge that He does not only speak to us in good, smooth, sunshiny times, but He comes to us personally and speaks to us when we are afraid and facing some really faith-taking and trust-crippling enemies. Here is the text to refresh our minds.

The LORD said to Joshua, Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You, are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots. Joshua 11: 6

Even before we get into this second palatable and sweet word, we are drawn to the perfect image of a perfect Father who jealously guards the hearts and minds of His children, from the mischief and havoc the enemy will wreak on our minds. The clever, conniving enemy knows that if at all he can get, not all of a foot in, but just one toe even, in the window of each mind, he can cause destructive fear, confusing anxiety and crippling doubts. Here is the great, good news! Our heavenly Father knows this only too well, about the deceiver and always, yes I say, always is there to protect us from such debilitating fears.

Here is your Father and mine, as He responds to a son of His, who is in big need. Brother and sister of our One Heavenly Father, look at the heart of our Father! Look at the attitude of our Father! Look at the manner of our Father! Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice! What do you see of our Father? Here are some of what I see.

Our Heavenly Father is seeing exactly what I am seeing. When Joshua saw all those allied kings and their proficient armies, as plentiful as the sands on the shore, take their places, in preparation to annihilate him and the Israelites, God was also seeing it. Our God sees, hears and knows exactly what is going on in my life at the moment. That alone draws courage and strength to persevere.

Our Heavenly Father is not waiting until He hears me cry out in fear and trepidation, to rush to my rescue. When He saw His son and servant, Joshua, surrounded by so mighty an army, Father God took in front. Even before Joshua could get to Him, as a son calling to his Father for help, Father God got to His son and gave him strength. One does not even have to imagine this, as it is so real and down to earth. The child is scared of the bully who is poised to beat him up. The father appears, pats the scared child on his shoulder and lovingly says to him. Son, don’t be afraid, I am here. I will take care of this bully. Does this not remove all fear in the child as his faith in his father takes over? Our Father in Heaven is not less mindful, watchful and helpful to me. He sees my drastic dilemma, and immediately makes His powerful presence known. This is the same for you my sister and brother in God. It was the same for Joshua.

The Word of Peace - Do not be afraid of them.

Have you heard these words which God speaks to His dear son and servant, Joshua, in his time of deep trouble? Father God is specific in naming the pronoun, them. When Joshua hears this word, he knows straightway that his Heavenly Father is referring to the whole host of soldiers, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. O yes, Joshua knows that God is not referring to some, or even the majority, but the entire allied forces. This is a word that does not just bring momentary peace of heart and mind, but one that remains, playing over and over in the mind, as the enemy remains poised and ready for their victory. This is a word which so changes, forever, all possible fears and impossible feats, that I can see Joshua totally transformed in his own eyes.

God is your reliable and trusted Father who is Peace and gives peace to you. He knows that you are facing what is impossible for you to handle on your own. He comes to you and tells you, with loving, tender, yet most commanding words, Do not be afraid of them. Believe Him! He is our trusted and faithful Father, whose Word of Peace is lasting.

Our Father in heaven, no one else has a peace-pumping and peace-releasing Father like You. Peace is not just Your giving or Your bringing, but it is who You are. Thank You for coming to me and speaking within me, Your child, Your quiet peace and penetrating calm. Forgive me Father, for any hidden, lurking doubts and fears that creep in, when I see the allied enemies, which are not yet hidden from my sight. Reliable and ever faithful Father, I thank You for being a really good and true Father to me, in spite of my wretchedness and carelessness. I thank You for Your forgiveness and for bringing me back to my right mind, in knowing that my place is with You and no other. I know that You are dead serious, when You tell me not to be afraid of all that is against me. You are not just for me, but You are with me and Your impelling and compelling Word of Peace has moved me. I have peace with You, my Father. Amen!