Let not your mind and heart faint!
Fear not!
Do not tremble or be terrified because of your enemies.
For the Lord your God is He Who goes with you
To fight for you against your enemies
To save you!
Deuteronomy 20:3-4 AMP
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.”
Again, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.”
The third time He said, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My sheep,” John 21:15-18.
Jesus had told Peter, “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same (Matthew 26:34-35). After that rooster crowed, Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken, and he went outside and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75).
He Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy dwells in the high and holy place with those who have a contrite and humble spirit. He revives the spirit of the humble and revives the heart of the contrite ones (Isaiah 57:15 NKJV). Yes, the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:17 NKJV).
Wouldn’t it be great if we could learn life lessons as easily as reading answers from a blackboard. Hey, this doesn’t even happen in school. We must put in the work to do well during testing. I can only speak for myself, but the things I remember are those that require time and effort.
But we all know life lessons are greatly influenced not only by how we think and feel, but also by the sensation, the crux, and the essence of emotion. For instance, anger, an emotion when present is meant to make us aware of a problem.
However, because the lessons of life have taught us to be self-aware, self-defensive, self-protective, self-absorbed…anger when turned on others can incite rage, jealousy, resentment, bitterness, contempt, grudges, vindictiveness, vengefulness, animosity, malice, hostility…Anger when turned on self can result in depression, desperation, joylessness, hopelessness, despair, regret, sadness, misery, sorrow, panic, discouragement, dispiritedness….
When the pressure of emotion is experienced, there are tendencies, attitudes, behaviors that bring about ungodly deeds – to kill, to steal, to destroy – for we: menace, bully, intimidate, manipulate, arm-twist, browbeat, violate, assault, molest, coerce, threaten, bulldoze, harass, shame…
Emotion can produce a response without thought. There are physiological reactions that occur when a threat, attack or harmful event is perceived. A well-known response to stress: fight-flight-freeze-or-fawn (cower, kiss-up-to, flatter..), The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare the body to stay or fight or run away. If our body perceives itself to be in trouble, our system will work to keep us alive.
As a result, we can respond in ways and do things that cause us to question ourselves, others and God. Like Isaiah who asks, “Lord, why have You allowed us to turn from Your path? Why have You given us stubborn hearts, so we no longer fear You?” Isaiah 63:17 NLT.
I’m sure as Peter wept in disappointment and shame and upset at himself, he was asking similar questions. Because of our fallen nature, our body not only tries to keep us alive in precarious situations, but we are also kept striving to satisfy its unrealistic expectations and mortal desires.
Those who are governed and controlled by desire and self-interest, walk around blinded by the darkness of this world. They don’t realize those who choose to be on friendly terms with the world have taken a stand as an enemy of God (James 4:4).
God designed mankind to be made in His image and likeness. Well, we remain in His image, but we must put in the work if we desire to reclaim His likeness. Deception robs us of the power of Truth. We come into agreement with emotion, and become bound to fear and anger, hatred and prejudice…
However, when we come into agreement with Love, for God is Love (1 John 4:8) and believe and rely on and trust in His Word, we are freed -absolved and cleared – of every charge the evil one could bring against us. Jesus gives us right standing with God! (Acts 13:39 AMP).
Life is not a game of chance, flip a coin, heads you win tail you lose. Humanity lost God’s likeness because the Truth of God was exchanged for a lie; therefore, the creature instead of our Creator is worshiped and served (Romans 1:25 AMP).
God said, “You are gods, and all of you children made in the image of the Most High! But you shall die like mere mortals. You do not know, nor do you understand, for you walk about in the darkness of deception and sin and vanity. Tainted by the knowledge of evil, all the foundations of the earth are unstable (Psalm 82:5-7 NKJV).
But God, His Word says, “I will betroth you to Me in stability and in faithfulness, and you shall know – recognize, be acquainted with, give heed to, and cherish – the Lord (Hosea 2:20 AMP). God gives us His Word of Peace so no matter where our feet take us, we will be prepared to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness to lean into and rely on the Good News of Christ’s love for us (Ephesians 6:15 AMP).
The Lord started with Twelve but will bring vast multitudes of God’s people to heaven (Hebrews 2:10 TLB). Those who have not only sought the Truth to understand the deeper things of God; but who have consistently trained themselves with God’s Word will learn to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).
For instance, Jesus recognized Peter was suffering godly sorrow, which brings Repentance and leads to salvation while leaving no regret. It was not worldly sorrow, which brings Death (2 Corinthians 7:10). There is only One Who is good, and that is God, Who bestows Truth and Life and the Way to experience His warm embrace. Evil works through sin and fear and pride so the Light of the World is deadened to us.
So, Jesus talked to Peter about love. That he would know, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). We are dearly loved, fear not! The Lord bestows His peace! Be strong, yes, be strong. God’s Word will strengthen us (Daniel 10:19 AMP).
Those who keep and treasure God’s Word, who observe His message in its entirety, truly in them has the love of and for God been perfected – completed, reached maturity (1 John 2:5).
The world would have us believe love is merely a feeling or an emotion. But Love is God! There is no fear in Love. Perfect love drives all fear out because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears has not been made perfect in Love. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:16-19).
God so loved the world (John 3:16) sin has been forgiven on account of what Jesus has done. Everyone can seek knowledge of Truth and be made strong, by God’s Word residing in them. God gives us the power of Holy Spirit, bestows to us His love, and gives us a sound mind though His Word.
The Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – will help to remove the love of the world from within us. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father, but from the world. Know, the world and its desires pass away, but those who do the will of God live forever (1 John 2:11-17).
And right now, right here on earth we will once again exhibit the likeness of God, for Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast or is proud. Love is not rude or self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil. Love rejoices with the Truth. Loves always protects, always trusts, always Hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Let not your head sink down or your hands be slow and listless.
The Lord your God is in the midst of you!
The Lord your God is in the midst of you!
A Mighty One, a Savior!
He rejoices over you with joy!
He rests in silent satisfaction!
In His love He will make no mention of past sins
Nor will He even recall them!
He will exult over you with singing!
Zephaniah 3:16-17 AMP