Open Heaven Daily Devotional 18 May 2024, Saturday Reading Guide
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TOPIC: Banishing Fear
MEMORISE:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – (Isaiah 41:10)
READ: Matthew 10:26-31 (KJV)
Open Heaven Daily Devotional 18 May 2024 MESSAGE:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – (2 Timothy 1:7)
The above passage tells us clearly that the Holy Spirit which God gives to us is not a Spirit of fear. This also implies that fear is not a feeling, but a spirit, and that spirit is not from God. As Christians, whenever we find a spirit that is not of God around us, we must banish such a spirit immediately. Today, fear is banished in your life, in Jesus’ name.
The antidote to fear is faith. Ephesians 6:16 says: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” When this Scripture was written, soldiers had to go to war with shields as it was essential for their survival against the attacks of the enemy. Likewise, we are to quench the fiery darts of the enemy with the shield of faith.
What are these fiery darts? They are the imaginations through which the spirit of fear creeps into a man’s life. This is why (2 Corinthians 10:5) says:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
The knowledge of Christ casts down fearful thoughts and imaginations. The more of God you know, and the more aware you are of His power and love for you, the less afraid you will be. You must subject every negative thought to the truth of God’s word. When the thoughts come, you should respond with the word of God that counters them. As you do this over and over again, you will overcome those fears.
You cannot know God without studying His word, hence, to truly banish fear from your life, you need to study God’s word consistently. The Bible says in Romans 10:17:
… faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The more of God’s word that you constantly listen to, the more your faith will grow. This will ensure that there is no room for fear in your heart. Study the word of God and meditate on it every day. Memorise His word, especially the portions that speak specifically to the fears you have. As God’s word dwells richly in your heart, every form of fear will disappear.
KEY POINT:
Studying and meditating on the word of God banishes fear.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezra 5-7
HYMNAL:
Hymn 29 – When peace like a river attendeth my way
Open Heaven Daily Devotional 18 May 2024 guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.