Devitional by
Michal Ann Goll

“Then you will prosper if you are careful to keep and fulfill the statutes and ordinances with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage. Dread not and fear not; be not dismayed.”
I Chronicles 22: 13, Amplified Version

 “Dread Not”

This month I feel directed to address the enemy of dread. I really hate this enemy. I’ve experienced its attacks many times, especially during this past year. I’ve had nights when I have awakened and it seemed as though dread was waiting there, crouching over me, ready to fill my night with sleeplessness, endless thoughts, questions, fears, imaginations. When this would happen I would have to address this enemy and command it to stop. I would prayerfully remind myself of the armor of God and I would methodically put on every piece! Then I would look at Jesus and I would ask Him to take me higher! Oh, now that is fun! It would be as though my feet would leave the ground, and I found myself being repositioned. Where previously my enemies had seemed to be hovering over me, suddenly I was above them! The tables had changed!

I have become aware of times that I would wake up and go into the kitchen to fix my breakfast and begin my day, and as I became mentally alert, I realized there seemed to be something weighing down my heart, causing me apprehension. I would then mentally go through my day making a check list of things I had to get done. Sometimes it didn’t seem like there was anything worthy enough or challenging enough to cause this sensation! I had to go to the grocery store, work at the office, and fix dinner- big deal! I realized that dread wanted to make its home in me, stealing my present and future happiness and peace. As I have thought and prayed about this, I have come to some conclusions. Even if I have some challenging or disagreeable task to do, I don’t have to live in the state of dread. We have a gift from God, called our present moment. If we allow dread and fear of some future event to gain access to our hearts, our “present” has been stolen from us! Moment by moment our entire lives can be whisked away from us. We could go through our lives never knowing peace in our present situation.

Now there are lots of things we could dread. Some of us dread getting older- oh yeah, that’s a big one! We might dread writing checks to pay bills. We can dread having to express ourselves or to be vulnerable with someone. We can dread being alone, and we can also dread always having to be with someone who frustrates and irritates us. Does dread cause us to stay any younger, create more money in our checkbooks, or help us with our inter-personal skills? No, actually it is a type of prison, designed to keep us from really living, loving, and laughing!

So many times the Old Testament talks about how the pagan nations dreaded the Israelites and that we are to dread the Lord. That means to fear Him because He is Holy, not because He is unkind or unfaithful. He is ever present to give us whatever we might need.

I want to challenge you today to take on this enemy! If you don’t, it will certainly take you on. Let the peace of God fill you every moment. Bring every thought of fear, apprehension, and every twinge of the turning in your stomach to the cross and give it to Jesus! Confess it, renounce it, and shake it off! Methodically put on the armor of Jesus every morning and every evening. There is power in His Name!

Many Blessings!

Michal Ann

Quote –

“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, ‘The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!’ ” ~Psalm 92:14-15

Prayer –

Father, we come to you in the name of Jesus, Your Son. We apply the blood of Jesus over our minds, our hearts, and our bodies in faith, believing in Your promises and the covenant You have established with those who put their trust in You! Lord, we come out of agreement with this enemy of dread. We want nothing to do with it. Deliver us and set us free to live our present moments in Your beautiful presence and light. We love you and we never want to be separated from Your love. Thank you Jesus for providing for every need we will ever have! In Jesus’ Name – Amen

Applications –

As a first step, take Psalm 92:14-15, written above. Take it like medicine three times a day and let it soak into you until you know it is inside of you. Becoming older here on this earth is a beautiful thing and the Scripture is full of promises about how wonderful it can be for each of us. Hey, we are all going to get there someday – Let’s take the road of peace, love, and security, and make our enemies “dread” our faith and peace in our awesome God!

If you have been helped today through this devotional, consider printing out 5 copies to give to people who don’t have e-mail access, perhaps to some of our elderly brothers and sisters in Christ.