“Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle” (Psalms 24:8)

In my previous post, “In Times of Trouble – Stand Strong”, it was impressed upon me during my time of prayer that as a believer it’s essential to be on your knees. Prayer is a powerful tool we are to use against Satan. I also shared the importance of restoring your vision of living hope in order to see beyond the present moment and into the eternal heavenlies where faith in Christ allows you to stand strong and faithful (2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Peter 1:3-6). In this post I will conclude my last two elements to regain spiritual healthiness.

But what about when your heart is weary and afraid? What then can you do to regain your joy and strength?

The answer is simple and yet takes a mindful decision to make:

Equip yourself to DISCERN TRUTH!

To equip ourselves to discern truth, the Hebrew writer admonishes you [men and women] to grow eating the solid food of God’s word and not to remain as babes in Christ who drink only spiritual milk. “But solid food is for full grown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14 ASV). The Apostle Paul wrote, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…” (Philippians 1:9-10).

During these recent days and the challenges we’re all facing in the midst of COVID-19, I hear over and over again, “How can you believe what you hear? I’m so confused.” What is truth and what is deception? Even Pilate, the Roman Governor over Israel in Jesus’ day, asked Jesus, before he was sentenced to a Roman crucifixion, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38). Even those who honored Jesus as King just days before, soon denounce him shouting, “Crucify! Crucify!” (John 19: 6).

All deception has some truth woven throughout it in order to capture attention of the unwary soul. It makes me wonder: What’s going on? What’s happening to “truth and trust” as it deteriorates before our very eyes? My friends, be aware…there is a sinister foe behind all this deception. He is the one who is ravaging our land. This is Satan. He is behind all deception as people give him way into their hearts—and so they speak, unknowingly, to further his evil mission. Remember, Satan is called “the great dragon…old serpent…the Devil…the deceiver of the whole world…” (Revelation 12:10).

Isn’t it correct that if you can’t believe or trust in what you hear, soon you lose confidence and become desensitized to the point you’re not able to discern any form of truth? On a broader spectrum, even the “gospel truth” will eventually be rejected (2 Timothy 4:3-5)!

What a perfect backdrop for Satan, the Father of lies (John 8:44,) who is also referred to as, “The god of this age who has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (1 Corinthians 4:4). The Apostle Paul urges us to, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). We must know the truth and we must decide to use this truth in our battles here on earth.

Ray Beeson in his book, The Real Battle, gives us some biblical insight of truth:

We must remember that God is eternal, Satan is created. There is no one like God, so there is no one equally his opposite. Praise God for the assurance this gives as we examine Satan’s characteristics. Satan cannot possibly, at any time, ever overcome God! On that basis, then, such a study need not be approached with fear. Simply put, there is no antonym or synonym for God.

Truth needs to take precedence in your life. Greater time spent in the Bible results in your ability to discern what truth is; most especially, the gospel truth that pertains to the spiritual matters of your heart.

The Psalmist gives praise as he writes, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalms 145:18). Jesus in his prayer to his heavenly Father said, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

In like-manner, God’s Holy Spirit gives you the ability to discern between the vain deceit, deception, and the distortion of truth that continues to multiply. Remove God’s words from your life and you have a deficit of truth—the danger then is your heart and mind now become open to all fear, deceptions, and lies of our adversary! Now more than ever, we must remind ourselves that Jesus tells us he will cast out our fear and his Holy Spirit will give us understanding of truth (Psalm 34:4, 5; 1 John 4:18; Romans 8:26-27).

Equip Yourself to ENCOURAGE OTHERS!

As we pray for an end to COVID-19, many still feel the loneliness that can be quick to suffocate any life left. It’s easy to become isolated to the point that we feel the anxieties of this world – we feel trapped; we lose our sense of security; many grieve the loss of loved ones; some fear tribulation times are on the horizon; others feel totally decimated financially as they’ve lost nearly everything.

As believers, fear and paralysis is not to be the adrenalin that pushes us into tomorrow. Our peace and joy comes from our heavenly Father who promises to always be with us, protect us, and keep us (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 46:1-3; Jude 1:24,25). To quote Ray Beeson again, he encourages us with these words:

The Cross resulted in Satan’s legal defeat, for it was in the shedding of Christ’s blood that he triumphed over Satan (Colossians 2:13-15)… That triumph was an initial victory. It wasn’t the end but rather the beginning of the end (1 Corinthians 15:24-25; Revelation 19:14; 20:4) … For there is no power but of God: and the powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13:1). Though for a time the enemy has power here on earth, his authority is not outside of that which God has ordained. God still is, and always will be sovereign.

So, let’s go back to our initial question and expand upon it: When your heart is weary and afraid, what then can you do to regain your joy and strength so you can equip yourself as you encourage others?

Try reading Hebrews 13:5: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Max Lucado, in his book, You’ll Get Through This, says of this verse, “In the Greek this passage has five negatives. It could be translated “I will not, not leave thee; neither will I not, not forsake thee.” Grip this promise like the parachute it is. Repeat it to yourself over and over until it trumps the voices of fear and angst.” Although at times you may not always feel the presence of God in your life, this doesn’t nullify the truth of His existence.

Here are several “Quick Truths” to encourage you as you encourage others and to remind you that God is by your side ALWAYS.

1. He will always listen to you…He will never fail you (Psalm 145:18-20; 1 Chronicles 28:20).

2. Humble prayers and reading God’s Word always gets you to the heart of God. Pray that God makes you more faithful and courageous (Joshua 1:8-9; Mark 9:21-24; Hebrews 4: 14-16; 1 John 5:13-15).

3. Stay close in the fellowship of other believers. This is paramount for sustained success and accountability during this time when many feel abandoned. (Acts 2:43-47; Hebrews 10:23-25).

4. Think about heavenly things to come.Keep the balance in your mind when all around you appears collapsing. Jesus is with you; He is for you; He rejoices over you (Isaiah 8:10; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 8:31; Colossians 3:1-5, 12; 1 Peter 5:7).

5. Know you belong to Jesus. Saying confidently, I have eternal life right now!is a powerful assertion that will change negative fear and thinking to positive rejoicing (John 3:16; John 17:3; John 6:47; 1 John 5:10-12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7-8).

6. Understand that Satan can’t touch you. Let’s rejoice in the victory that you belong to Christ (John 10:27-30; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 John 5:18; Jude 20-22; Matthew 10:20).

7. Believe that He will supernaturally meet all your needs. All you have to do is tell him your needs, what’s on your heart, then trust and believe (Mark 9:21-24).

8. Have great expectations of what’s to come. Believe as God’s child you shall be rescued to enjoy your final reward as a result of holding fast to your faith because of Jesus Christ who lives in you (Daniel 12:1-3; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 21:1-7; Revelation 22:12-14; Galatians 2:20).

Because Jesus is raised and coming again he gives hope, life, purpose, and meaning to existence. Amen!