Fear Not! A Journey From Fear To Freedom (Part 2)Mostră

Take It By Force if Necessary

“But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to Me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house" (Ezekiel 3:7-9 NIV).

This is the Lord speaking to the prophet Ezekiel telling him he has to be hardheaded. He is going to be dealing with obstinate people and he is going to have to be tough and thick-skinned. In other words, you cannot get your feelings hurt here.

Have you ever received some rejection when you mentioned God or Jesus? Have you wilted under the silence or a snicker? I believe we all could use an injection of hardheadedness. Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it” (Matthew 12:11 NIV). We are going to have to retake the ground given up by us and our ancestors to the enemy, and we are going to have to take it back by force. Satan is not going to give anything back without a fight.

Has God laid a task, assignment or ministry on your heart? If so, you do not have to be afraid. You are working for the King of kings. Always remember, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV) You cannot wilt under the first sign of resistance. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV).

Sometimes you may not understand what a certain mission or task was for and you may not see any immediate fruit. But building God’s kingdom is about sowing and reaping. Some seeds take longer to germinate than others, but when you sow good seed a harvest will follow so do not lose hope.

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29). 

Prayer: Dear God, grant me, Your servant, boldness to speak Your word. I would also like a dose of hard-headedness when it comes to the assignments You have for me. I want the sticktoitiveness to see them through. May Your will be my will. In Jesus name, Amen.