I CAN’T GET OVER IT!
October 13th, 2009 | 
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God is speaking so personally to me through my Beth Moore study of the book of Esther. I just can’t get over it! Beth pointed out that the most common command given in the Bible is “Fear not” and that we can’t just “Fear not” on our own. (Anyone else ever deal with fear besides me?) She said one of the toughest things about being a woman is feeling like women are supposed to be weak and vulnerable.
“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.”
Prov. 31:10
Beth took us to the Proverbs 31 woman, specifically Prov. 31:10 “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” The word “noble” used here is the same root word used in Judges 6:12 to describe Gideon’s valor or bravery. Bottom line,
Courage is facing our fear, not denying it.
That word noble kept ringing with me. I have always thought of noble as meaning elevated or higher up. Certainly not me! For some reason, right after I heard that, I felt the need to look up what the name Alison means. Wait for it . . . wait for it. . . Alison means noble kind or of noble sort. GET OUT! Before I was even born, my parents chose that name for me. But God knew I would be in this study at “such as time as this” and would need that encouragement!
I realize that birthstones are not Biblical, but rubies are my birthstones. In Christ, I am made noble and worth more than rubies! For a girl like me who struggles with self-esteem, this is just too much for me. Praise God! He makes me brave and worth more than rubies!
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Posted in Devotional
Yes, one very consistent message found throughout the Bible is “fear not” or “do not be afraid”. If you watch for it as you read the scriptures, you will be surprised how often it appears (in every book, except I think I didn’t find it in Song of Songs). 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (Some translations use the word “timidity” rather than “fear”.) When we really think about what causes us to be fearful, we will gain insight about our selves, our motives, our faith. So, the logical question that follows is, “If fear is not of God, where does it come from?” The eneny has an arsenal of crafty weapons, and fear is one that’s very effective in interfering with our relationship with the Lord. That’s why we must learn to trust Him IN ALL THINGS. (Of course, there is healthy fear, too, but that’s not what we’re talking about here.)
Weak and vulnerable? I think not. Boastful and conceited? Not that, either. Confident (brave, courageous, bold) yet humble, yes, that’s the posture; however, it’s tricky. Once we truly accept who and whose we are, then there is nothing to fear. Doesn’t mean life will be a cake walk, though.
Bravo, Sister! I rejoice with you as you come to know God more personally. Yes, He is speaking directly to you. And as you draw nearer to Him, you will hear Him more and more. He loves you so dearly.