Align With God

Isa. 8:¹³ “Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (KJV).

Mary had the fear of inadequacy. Joseph had the fear of disapproval. The shepherds had the fear of sudden change. Luke 2:^8-10 “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. SUDDENLY, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” (emphasis added). Mary got fear not, Joseph got fear not, the shepherds got fear not, and you will get fear not, in the Name of Jesus. Sometimes, God does what He does in a way that we do not expect. A sudden change of things happens, things that we cannot control.

By God’s grace, I have been walking with Jesus for twenty-three years without turning back one day to the glory of God and Jesus still surprises me. So how can you be married to someone for five years and you are not expecting surprises? I was speaking to a couple that has been married for three years and they were telling me that theirs is a marriage made in heaven. That they understand each other completely and know each other thoroughly. I assured them that their journey has just started. Everyone that is married [for any period these days] will tell you that sudden change happens. It is the reality. Sometimes, we are in this kind of season and we are faced with sudden change. God is saying to you like He said to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid, things are going to be alright.’

Mary had the fear of inadequacy. Joseph had the fear of disapproval. The shepherds had the fear of sudden change. King Herod faced the fear of losing control and that is something many of us struggle with sometimes. We want to have control; we do not want to lose control. We want to hold everything tightly in place. Matt.2:^1-3 “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.” (emphasis added). Herod was the only one that did not hear fear not because he was not aligned with God. He was not positioned for blessing. You have to be positioned properly to be blessed.

Herod was deeply disturbed and guess what happened to the whole of Jerusalem? The Bible says everyone in Jerusalem was deeply disturbed. This is a leadership lesson for all of us; as leaders, whether you are leading in business or leading your home, you have to be careful the way you handle fear. When children sense fear in their parents, they become afraid without even knowing why. Why was Jerusalem afraid? What was their fear? Their king was afraid.

Prayer: Father, today I sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; He alone will be my fear, and Him alone will be my dread and great shall be my peace, in Jesus Name. Amen!