GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 17

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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RUNAWAY FEAR

Psalm 34:5

“Those who look to Him are radiant.”

D.L. MOODY

If you want to scatter your doubts, look at the blood; and if you want to increase your doubts, look at yourself.  You will get doubts enough for years by being occupied with yourself only a few days.

ERWIN LUTZER

Conflict with doubt.  Have you ever noticed how easy it is for us to slide into despair?   And when we’re in despair, it’s very easy for us to make a mistake or a wrong decision in a panic.  In the Old Testament, David is painted very realistically.  In fact, there are lessons we have to learn from his life because of his failures and his backslidings.

Visualize this:  David is on the run from Saul when he comes to Ahimelech the priest and lies to get some food in 1 Samuel 21.  He told Ahimelech that he was on assignment for the king.  He then asks for a weapon that he might do the king’s will.  The priest believes the lie and then David acts on that lie.  He actually takes up residence in the territory of the Philistines!  Think of it:  Here is David, the man who killed Goliath, choosing to make his bed in enemy territory.  Fear made him backslide.

The point:  Discouragement and fear can weigh us down and destroy our faith.  We risk the danger of ending up in enemy territory if we look around us rather than look upward to God.

Giant slayers have fallen into sin because they stopped trusting and started running in the wrong direction.

PRAYER

Father, please help me to keep my eyes focused on You.  Let my faith in You cast out fear as I meditate on Your promises.

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  Hebrews 12:2

 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” This verse encourages believers to keep their eyes on Jesus, especially during difficult moments.

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    Colossians 3:2

 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” This encourages believers to focus on Jesus for true peace and identity.

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    Isaiah 26:3

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 

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1 Thessalonians 1:3

constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

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Revelation 14:12

Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

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Romans 15:13

    “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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Jeremiah 17:7

    “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”

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2 Corinthians 12:9

    “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

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Isaiah 41:10

    “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

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