The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10
Trusting in the name of Jesus is our strongest weapon against anxiety and fear. Anxiety has a way of chipping away at your identity. Not only is excessive fear debilitating, fear robs your joy and it steals your prospects for better living. Jesus came to abolish what lies, steals, and kills. He came that we may have life and live in the abundance found in Him. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge rest in the love of God, our Father through Jesus Christ. We are made in the image of God, it’s His great pleasure to bless us to think like Him and to know what benefits us in our daily living.
The Apostle Paul prayed a powerful prayer that resonates for the eternal Body of Christ, the universal Church:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Eph. 1:17-19
The strongest ailment of the body, mind, and spirit are summed up in the continual waves of anxiety crashing down upon one’s life story. The loss of joy weighs down the heart and the weariness of a fearful mind rots our motivation to live well. The Word of God gives us direction and comfort against the workings of anxious striving:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Asking God for a humble heart reminds us that we are not meant to have the control nor allow pride to overshadow the potency of God’s love against the effects of fear. We will make mistakes, fall short, and we will have unforeseen struggles in critical moments in our lives. But to all who know the name of the Lord, they will gain wisdom to endure and learn to welcome divine interruptions. Jesus deeply cares for your character and died for our sins that we may experience transformation of heart to gain peace in our growing pains. Let the struggle come, acknowledge your weaknesses so that God’s strength would be witnessed in your life.
There is real-working power in your relationship with Jesus and His Spirit dwelling inside your heart, mind, and spirit. Your Father equips you for every good work and establishes your steps as you seek Him in everything you do. You are not alone in your fears. Jesus speaks peace for you in the midst of the storm and is calling you to come to Him for comfort and a release of His presence to flood your heart with hope and truth. He cares for you more than you imagine. Let us discover His love in an intimate way to demolish every root of deception that caters to the unhealthy fears in our hearts. Jesus came to free us to love ourselves and others in an authentic way. It’s His love made manifest in our daily walk that calms us and we increasingly rest in the power of His name to love and maintain a childlike faith.
In Jesus’ name we find our deliverer, our provider, our healer, our king, our strength, and our peace, saying: Fear not, for I am with you. Trust is built over time. Therefore the quality time I invest in discovering the mighty and strong name of Jesus matters in my daily living. I ask myself, “How well do I know the name and the person of Jesus Christ?” Our experiential knowledge of Jesus is deeply connected to the level of trust we have in Him. Abiding in Him liberates us from fear.
Jesus is ready and willing to be your breakthrough. In times of suffering, know you are not alone. He is with you every step of the way. In the face of oppression, abandonment, financial strain, or in the moments of chaos and stress, God does not slumber and even in His silence He is giving you opportunity to trust in Him. Embrace His silence and wait on Him to still the storm raging in your heart. Know He is your God- He will guard your heart and mind as you call upon His name.
Jesus speaks His life into your innermost being so you may receive His Word as daily bread. Take and eat from Him to see a supernatural work become a reality in your life where miracles, signs, and wonders in His name continually form your identity. Seek the Lord and He is faithful to answer you. Trust in the One who has called you into His eternal glory and has promised to restore you, make you strong, firm and steadfast. Fear not. Trust in the name of Jesus afresh to strengthen you, to help you, and to uphold you today!
Prayer: Lord, I want to know your name, live in your name, and execute all my next steps knowing you are very present. Keep me close to you. I am knocking, seeking, and asking for your Spirit of wisdom and revelation to come into me so that I may know you better. By your grace you have revealed yourself to me so that I may place my trust in you in every season of life. Thank you Lord for your great love for me. Cast out all fear as I receive the fullness of your love into my heart like never before. I rest my mind in the faithful name of Jesus. Amen.