It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
—Galatians 5:1, NASB

Reflection:
We need to know and be convinced that Father’s desire is to set us free from fear. It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore keep standing firm, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Father wants us to stand firm in the face of fear, knowing that Jesus lives within us and has conquered the devil and evil.

Yes, Jesus has set us free, but we must enter into and maintain our freedom by standing on the promises of God’s Word and fighting fear with tenacity. Jesus said seven times in the Book of Revelation, He who overcomes will inherit His promises. He has set us free, but our responsibility, our response to His ability, is to overcome by standing firm in the faith. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world.

God makes us complete as we engage in the battle against the enemy. This is not optional in our growth as a Christian. It is a real fight to be engaged in on a continual basis. Sometimes we try to pretend that fear is not there, or that it is not real, but we end up realizing that we have to face it at some time. It will not go away until we face it and defeat it by the power and authority of Jesus dwelling within us, and God’s Word.

The Bible repeatedly tells us not to be afraid, and yet when we look around us, we see real dangers and can experience real fears. We see car accidents taking place, illnesses affecting the lives of people we know, people dying before their time, economic woes affecting millions, terrorist acts taking place around the world, and governments expressing fear that something horrible is going to happen. It seems that dangers lurk around every corner, and the world seems to be spiraling out of control.

Beloved, without the Lord solidifying us on the inside, we will be afraid in this unsafe world. Negative news reports, horror films, some political speeches, and the media all contribute to this fear. These negative stimuli can take our focus off of God who resides with us. Christ in you, the hope of glory, means our focus should be upon Him living within us and empowering us, rather than focusing on the outside world and the forces of darkness surrounding us.

We must be more in tune with God’s indwelling Spirit than the world around us. We must keep eternal values in view and not worry about the things of tomorrow. God is always with us. He will not fail us. We must trust Him with our finances, our health, our family, our job, our career, and our future. He will never let us down, for He is always with us and will never leave us.

Application:

• Stand on the promises of God’s Word and fight fear with tenacity, knowing Jesus lives within you.
• Turn away from negative stimuli that feed fear, and fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.

Prayer:
Lord, I thank You that You love me and like me. Keep me safe, secure, and steadfast in You. Help me remain in You, Jesus, and in Your Word. Help me to overcome my fears by Your power and by Your grace. I believe that through You, I can overcome the world. I love You, Jesus.