Bible Bites for the Battle Weary

CBN.com As we remember our men and women in uniform, dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, this is the time to set our hearts and minds on our Redeemer, to find peace and safety in Him and His Word to us.

We can become so consumed with the ramifications of war, what it will mean to our safety, our financial stability, our nation's economy, our children's future, our mortality that we forget who has ultimate victory in this world -- Jesus Christ. When we dwell on the evil that surrounds us or entertain thoughts of future horrors, we take our eyes off of God, whose miracle-working power is available to change us and to save us and to even change the courses of the nations.

Thoughts of fear, dread, and worry are not options. Fretting isn't either. Psalms 37:7ClosePsalms 37:7 Be still in the presence of the LORD,  and wait patiently for him to act.Don't worry about evil people who prosper  or fret about their wicked schemes. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) says that fretting only leads to evil. We know from Matthew 6:27CloseMatthew 6:27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) that worrying can't add even an hour to our lives. It says in Romans 8:15CloseRomans 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.* Now we call him, "Abba, Father."* OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) that God didn't give us a spirit of fear.

When our hearts are troubled, we must seek the Lord. When we give our anxious heart to God instead of remaining paralyzed by fear, we gain His peace. The Bible tells us plainly in Philippians 4:6-7ClosePhilippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." John 14:7CloseJohn 14:7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.* From now on, you do know him and have seen him!" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) also notes the exchange of fear for peace by saying this: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

I realize that it is difficult to stop fretting and trust the Lord simply by following the order "Hey, don't worry. Trust in Jesus Christ." I would be lying if I didn't tell you I am one to imagine every possible evil or pitfall, find myself gripped by fear, and then experience sleepless nights and knots in my stomach at the thought of what might happen. But I also know that when this happens, I need to repent and choose to place my trust back in the Lord. I simply forgot who my God is. Perhaps you have, too.

When we forget who God is in our circumstances, we jump to the wrong conclusions, so let us pause for a minute to consider our Great King. Let's look on heavenly things for a moment to calm our nerves.

WHO IS GOD AT THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY?

Unchanging

• "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8CloseHebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).
• "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17CloseJames 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.* He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.* OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Always with us

• He says he will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6-8CloseDeuteronomy 31:6-8 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, "Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ; Joshua 1:5CloseJoshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ; Hebrews 13:5CloseHebrews 13:5 Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,"I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you."* OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Our Overcomer 

• "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33CloseJohn 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

• "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4Close1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Guide

• "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6CloseProverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;  do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,  and he will show you which path to take. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Upholder

 "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" (Isaiah 41:10CloseIsaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Protector

• " Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared" (Proverbs 3:25-26CloseProverbs 3:25-26 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster  or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security.  He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

• "I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side" (Psalms 3:4-6ClosePsalms 3:4-6 I cried out to the LORD,  and he answered me from his holy mountain.    Interlude I lay down and slept,  yet I woke up in safety,  for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies  who surround me on every side. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Isn't it good to know how great our God is! He is our Defender, Deliverer, and Mighty God. Let us choose to trust in His goodness in these troubled times.