Fear not; I am the first and the
last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 1:17-18
The God you serve will not leave you
in vain; He is the first and the last and
even though people have written Him off He wants you to know that I am he that liveth… Don’t let the
things around you or the people you encounter lead you away from your faith...
The enemy what’s you to lose sight of God’s promises because it appears as if
the people who are not of God are the ones who are flourishing… Today, you can
find courage and motivation in knowing that this race has already been won and the enemy will not outlast the God
you serve… In John’s revelation God acknowledges the fact that we will deal
with hardships on this earth… God knows that we will be tempted beyond measure
and that we will have times of doubt and uncertainty… It’s because of the
pressures of life that John starts of this first by saying, “Fear not…”
We don’t have any reason to fear, the prize that we seek isn’t of this world,
if you see people appearing to prosper while you don’t “fear not”, if
you see people living according to this world and seeming to be happy “fear
not” because God is “…the first and the last…” There will come a day
when you will be exalted, a time has been set before the foundations of this
earth that you indeed will reap a harvest and victory will be at your doorstep…
There is no reason for you to drop your head as a child of God… There is no
circumstance that should overtake you, no obstacle that should defeat you and
no trial that should worry you… We are reminded by John today that Jesus has
been where you are, He has seen the things you are currently dealing with and
has already defeated them… Your victory is assured through the blood of Jesus…
Jesus instructed His disciples that there would be days of heartache, there
would be days of distress and days of persecution, but He also told them that
they could take pride in knowing that He had already overcome them… We do have
to go through storms, we do have to go through hardships, but we must remember
that Jesus died and now sits at the right hand of God, we must be encouraged to
know that we can consider it pure joy when we face trials because we know that
God is at work and we will come forth better than we were… This verse says “I
am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore…”
Jesus is the one that was alive and
was crucified, He is the one who was subject to a borrowed tomb, He was the one
that many mocked and spit on, He was the one that was beaten and humiliated;
however, He now is the one who grants passage to eternal rest, He is no the one
is the author and finisher of our faith, He now is the one that will return with
all power in His hands to judge… Just like Jesus we must carry our cross… We
must walk through the cities as people mock us; ridicule us and persecute us;
however, we have faith in knowing that Just as Jesus was raised up and received
all power so shall we also be lifted up and people will see the promotion that
God bestows upon us for your faithfulness… In the 23rd psalm verse 5
David says, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” God is preparing a table for you to
sit at and your enemies (those who came against you or tried to overtake you)
will see the hand of the Lord move in your life… He anoints your head with oil,
in the time of David; shepherds would put oil on the head of the sheep to ward
off attacks or snacks… You can take joy in knowing that Christ has the keys to
eternity and that you are covered in His blood… Your table is being prepared in
heaven; you will be lifted up because Christ said “If I be lifted up, I’ll
draw all men unto me…” No matter what you’re going through, “fear not”
keep praising the name of the Lord, hold to His unchanging hand and continue
your walk in faith… We do not sorrow as a people without hope, we do not walk
by sight, and we do not walk in the way that seemeth right to man; so why
should we fear? The declaration is made, fear not, the hills we look too have
already overcome the evils that plague our lives, fear not; for the one we have
fastened our eyes on has robbed the devil of his joy, FEAR NOT. You can walk
with your head held high, you can endure this race, you can overcome these
obstacles, and you can mount up on the wings of eagles… How, because Jesus
holds the keys to hell and death, if you are in Christ Jesus, death shall not be
your judgment (fear not), hell shall not be your dwelling place (fear not). You
can quote 1 Corinthians 15:55 “O’ death
where is thy sting, O’ grave where is thy victory!” Amen goes right there!
Jesus has the keys to hell and death because He submitted Himself to His
father’s plan... Jesus has all power because He accepted the storms of life and
drank the cup that was put before Him… If you want to claim victory (fear not),
if you want to have you name written in the book of life (fear not), if you want to hear that voice say “well
done” (fear not), take the cup that the Lord has for you and drink it knowing
that your victory is already won… If you feel like your life is being
turned upside down; smile in the face of the enemy knowing that he doesn’t even
have the keys to his own home (interpretation: only Jesus has true power)…
BE BLESSED!!!
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