By His Spirit

As I look around our world, I see God beginning to move in incredible ways. Things are shifting.  Acceleration is not only coming–it is here! It is an exciting time to be alive, but harrowing things are happening around us. It can get a little overwhelming if we allow ourselves to focus on the bad instead of all the good God is doing. 

The song “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham has been running through my head for the last several days. To be honest, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. I have felt under attack with fear from the enemy over the state of our world, battling anxiety over what is to come and discouragement over the future of my family. What is worse, the enemy then comes in and makes me feel guilty for feeling afraid. He is such a liar! 

“I trust You, Lord,” has been a constant prayer running through my mind and heart. The reality is—we already know who wins the battle. We have “insider information” and know how the story ends. God is victorious, and His people win the day through the Spirit of God residing inside us. 

The media and social platforms focus on the negative, and without completely shutting those things off, it is near impossible to get away from them. (That is why I am thankful that the Lord asked me to limit all those voices and distractions at the first of the year.) But it has still been a battle, even with limiting all the voices vying for my attention. 

As I was pondering this predicament, wondering why I was struggling with a spirit of fear, I thought I had been delivered of so long ago; I kept asking myself, “Why can’t I have faith like the people in the Bible? Why am I struggling to have courage, like Joshua as he prepared to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land?  Why can I not be like Deborah, the judge of Israel that fought mightily against the Canaanites?” I wish I could be more like Peter, who got out of the boat in the middle of a storm to go to Jesus–walking on water. Most of all, I want to have the faith and bravery to face persecution, like the disciples after Jesus ascended into heaven. 

As He often does, the Lord began to speak to me in that still, small voice. He reminded me that the people we often read about in the scriptures did not know what the final outcome would be. We have the luxury of 20/20 vision when we read these stories. We get to see the beginning and the end, and that is why it is essential to read the Word. But God reminded me that none of these people were any different than you or me. They still had to trust God in the face of unimaginable odds. Joshua had no way of knowing that simply marching around Jericho for seven days and then shouting would bring the walls crashing down. I am sure he wondered if he had heard the Word of the Lord correctly. I am sure he wondered how God would deliver the seemingly impenetrable city into the Israelite’s hands. But God did. 

I could go through the list of all the people that Paul writes about in Hebrews 11, all the amazing heroes of the faith who trusted God in the midst of overwhelming odds and seemingly impossible circumstances. I think sometimes we forget that all of these people had to trust, and when things looked most dire, they had to KEEP ON TRUSTING. 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 

Ephesians 6:10-17 

Over the last few weeks, I have had to submit my heart and mind to God, releasing my need for control to Him daily–sometimes by the second! God, I trust You. Help me stand firm on your promises. 

I’m not perfect,  but with the silencing of many distractions that used to steal my attention, I have realized even more coming to the surface that needs to be dealt with. Fear, anxiety, and being overwhelmed can have no place in a heart that is stayed on Him. But leaning into those pain points is difficult. God is rooting out the things that are trying to steal my gaze from Him. 

Perhaps you have noticed some of the same things going on in your life. God is raising up a generation whose eyes are fully fixed on Him. If you have felt you are in this place of shifting sands, as I have felt these last few weeks, perhaps God is wanting to show you some things that need to be shaken out of your life, as He is continuing to do in my life. 

It is not my own strength or power that I can do anything. It is by His Spirit alone. I want to leave you with this final verse today. In the end, I can do nothing apart from Him. So why should I worry or be afraid? I believe the Lord is ushering in a great revival–a revival that will sweep worldwide. Could this possibly be the last great awakening before Jesus’ return? I cannot say for sure; only God knows the exact time of his return. This I do know, however,

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty.   Zechariah 4:6b

Nicole Boyd