by Dona Hake
Good day to all of you! I apologize that there was no devotional for the past two days. Once again we are experiencing some issues that has hindered my use of the internet. It is still not totally resolved but I am thankful that I can create this today for you! Today we are going to reflect upon the perfect love of our perfect and loving God.
Oh how important it is that we acknowledge and continue to confess the truth that God’s perfect love will always cast out fear, yet at times when fear strikes our hearts we can be tempted to be shaken. May we stop in those moments, and remember that Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has promised that He can cause our souls to lie down in green pastures, and sooth our restless souls. In the reading of the Psalms you can find David speak to his own disquieted and anxious soul. He always would end with “my hope is in God!” As we quiet ourselves in His presence, and remember our hope, we begin to receive the instruction of what we need to do, and in His time we see the manifestation of our prayers. Sometimes after we get through circumstances we take a deep breath in the Spirit, and we may sometimes ask ourselves, ” Why was I so afraid? In light of this let us look at I John 4:18 from the Amplified version:
“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete,
perfect) love [a]turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For
fear [b]brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid
has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s
complete perfection].”
perfect) love [a]turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For
fear [b]brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid
has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s
complete perfection].”
As I have said many times before it seems the Lord speaks to me in the everyday happenings of my life and I love it. In light of sharing about fear, I would like to share a little story about my German Shepherd that seems to be fearless yet there is one thing that can tip her off, and make her a bit scared and nervous. It’s that three letter word …the VET! . No matter how much I try to comfort her, she hates going to the vet. One time I took her when she was a bit younger, and she was quivering and shaking. It was so pitiful. With every bit of strength I had and the use of her choker, I had to drag this 85 pound bundle of fur back into the doctor’s office. I had her there for a shot and a nail trim, but for her it was walking into the fear of the unknown!
There is one particular vet technician that is so calm, sweet and loving and she totally understands how to handle the German Shepherd breed. She sweetly calmed Aasha, and it wasn’t long that she was at peace. Aasha totally submitted to this woman yet she kept her eyes locked on me. All her fear seemed to leave as long as she could see me. My presence helped dispel her fears. After the exam, shots and nail trim, it was interesting observing her leaving the doctors office. She pranced out the door looking like, “hey, that wasn’t so bad, when can we do this again?” I might also mention that
I gave a sigh of relief that I got through it with her and it all turned out okay!
I gave a sigh of relief that I got through it with her and it all turned out okay!
I want to refer back to the scripture in light of this little story. “Perfect love makes our fear leave and expels every trace of terror!” Next time fear knocks on the “door” of your heart try to remember to keep your eyes on Him and visualize yourself experiencing the power of His love, and presence making every trace of fear and terror leave you. Fear and torment must obey, and leave the premises of your mind and soul in Jesus Name. Today let us ponder the power of His perfect love.