Last week we spoke about the most
precious gift in the whole world that we received, namely the Holy
Spirit. We learned that we are sealed with Him and that He abides
within us. And because He does, we can walk in Kingdom living here
on earth already. His amazing love dwells within us and gives us
the ability to do exactly what He wants us to do. It is only when
we grieve Him by persisting in sin and sinful practices that we
hinder Him to move through us. His main aim is to flow through us
and influence others positively for His Kingdom, but if you do not
allow Him to, Kingdom living will not manifest for you. As we have
seen these couple of weeks, the ultimate decision lies with you.
Jesus gave you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, are you going to
use it for His glory, or are you still going to live for this
world? The choice is yours. For in His Kingdom is everything you
need, every blessing to be bestowed and in His Kingdom is also
protection. Let us read a couple of verses where God promises to
protect those in His Kingdom:
"Surely He shall deliver you
from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He
shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall
take refuge, His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall
not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies
by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the
destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your
side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come
near you. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near
your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to
keep you in all your ways." Psalm 91:3-7, 10, and 11
What wonderful promises of
deliverance and protection! And what is the condition? Well verse
one tells us that these promises are for those who dwell and abide
with the Lord. In other words these promises are for those who live
within the Kingdom of God, who make their house there and who abide
with the Lord in everything that they do, not only on a Sunday
morning or on a random basis. No these promises are for those who
remain with Him and allow His Spirit to move through them.
Okay, but I have heard a lot of
people ask me what about the apostles then? If this is true what I
am saying, why did they suffer so much? Almost all of them died a
gruesome death. Good question. Let me begin to explain. Jesus
Himself said the following:
"And you will be hated by all
for My Name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."
Matthew 10:22
"Blessed are you when they
revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against
you falsely for My sake." Matthew 5:11
Do you notice one theme? The only
persecution that can come against you is persecution for His
Name sake. The only persecution that God will allow is for the
furtherance of His Kingdom. If you die a death for the glory of His
Kingdom, then you are blessed. A martyr for God, receiving a
special crown. So what I am saying is that God will protect you,
you can live within His protection, except in certain instances
where you will receive honour and glory for suffering for His
Kingdom.
Now, when someone steals your cell
phone, is that suffering for His Name? No. If someone attacks you
due to racial tension/ xenophobia, is that suffering for His Name?
No. If someone wants to kill you because you have more than them,
is that suffering for His Name? No. I hope you get the point. God
is in the protection business. Walk with confidence that He is with
you. Do not be afraid. God is not the God of fear. He never wants
you to be afraid of what might happen to you. He is your Fortress,
your Deliverer, and your Knight in shining armour. He was like a
wall of protection around Israel when they followed His law. No
enemy could put their hands on them as long as they followed God.
And the same is true of us today. No weapon formed against you can
prosper, if you abide in His presence, if you make the Most High
your dwelling place. Live in the freedom that that brings. It is
liberating. Without fear the sky is the limit for you. Without fear
you can accomplish His Will so much easier. Without fear, you will
represent Him on several levels. Go out and be fearless. God is
with you, the Mighty One of Israel.
Father thank you that we can be
safe with You. Thank you that You are a wall of protection all
around us. We praise Your Name and honour You as our God, the
Almighty One. Amen