MY SOUL IS SAFELY AND FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE LORD, GOD'S WORD

THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE SAFELY, AND FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE LORD, GOD'S WORD

BECAUSE “OVERWHELMING VICTORY” IS YOURS.

“... So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ... A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed...” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).

 “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar full of fury ...commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).

 “... a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them...“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).

“...It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword ...he proceeded to seize Peter also ...Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).

“...THE MORE THE EGYPTIANS “OPPRESSED” THEM (GOD’S PEOPLE) THE MORE THE ISRAELITES “MULTIPLIED AND SPREAD...” (Exodus 1 NLT).

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The EVIL ONE and his wicked slaves hate God’s people and treat them unjustly because of his AND their OWN, personal envy and fear. “…ye (the evil one and his wicked slaves) thought evil against me (god’s people); but God meant it unto good…” (Genesis 50:20 KJV). “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “...ALL THINGS (even the evil things Satan uses to hurt you) work (PROCESS) together for good to them (God’s people) that love God, to them who are the called (CHOSEN) ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV).

Being INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE God’s people experience grief, heartache, disappointment, anger, confusion, weakness, sickness, pain, oppression, terror, and a flow of other emotional and mental afflictions, but a GLORIOUS and OVERWHELMING deliverance and victory BELONGS TO THEM!  “... Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT). “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...We must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours  (GOD’S PEOPLE’S) through Christ, who loved us (THEM)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

In the Old Testament, God delivered over a million and a half people out of the land of Egypt and he miraculously took care of them for 40 years in the wilderness.  “... These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did ...These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age...” (1 Corinthians 10:9-11 NLT).

“...THE MORE THE EGYPTIANS “OPPRESSED” THEM (GOD’S PEOPLE) THE MORE THE ISRAELITES “MULTIPLIED AND SPREAD...” (Exodus 1 NLT).

“...Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver.  If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.” But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives. “Why have you done this?” he demanded. “Why have you allowed the boys to live?” “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women,” the midwives replied. “They are more vigorous and have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time.” So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.” About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.  Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said. Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked. “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. “Take this baby and nurse him for me,” the princess told the baby’s mother. “I will pay you for your help.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him. Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.”

Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews...Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act. When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt...” (EXODUS  1, 2, & 3:1-11 NLT).

MOSES CAME OUT OF THE OPPRESSION: “…Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place…” (EZEKIEL 13:3 KJV).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the [Israelis (God’s people) were delivered out of the house of bondage] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…I am the Lord, I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians...” (Exodus 6:6-7 KJV). “…I will rid you out of their bondage...” (Exodus 6:6-7 KJV). “…I will redeem you with a stretched out hand...” (Exodus 6:5:6-7 KJV). “…The Lord bought  [Israel] out with a mighty hand and redeemed [them] out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of…Egypt. … (Deuteronomy 7:8 KJV).

“…All things  (including the DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL OR YOU FROM THE STORMS OF LIFE) came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

 “…Since the CREATION of the world God’s INVISIBLE QUALITIES—HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE (the GREAT DELIVERANCE)…” (Romans 1:20 NIV).

“…I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians…” (Exodus 6:7 KJV). “…the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders…” (Deuteronomy 26:8 KJV).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the [Israelites were delivered out of the house of bondage] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“...THE MORE THE EGYPTIANS “OPPRESSED” THEM (GOD’S PEOPLE) THE MORE THE ISRAELITES “MULTIPLIED AND SPREAD...” (Exodus 1 NLT).

“...Therefore [INSIDE the STORMS]... put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm...” (Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV).

“... Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT).

“…HE (the indwelling Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).

 “…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help...” (Hebrews 13:5 MSG).

“…He said, … Do not be afraid or discouraged ...the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).

“…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

 “…you will not even need to fight...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“…Take your positions; then stand still..” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“…watch the Lord’s victory...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

I don’t care who you are pastor, minister, clergy leader, Christian warrior, apostle, hero, or whatever; we ALL go through STORMS. What happens to a man or woman of faith INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE is an EXPERIENCE that will heavily affect the mind and emotions of ANY finite HUMAN being. “…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Peter, the Hebrew Boys, Jesus, Joseph, Job, King Jehoshaphat, and Daniel were ALL great people of FAITH and they ALL had REAL LIFE, human EXPERIENCES. They also ALL had MAGNIFICENT DELIVERANCES. Yet and still, they went “INSIDE” the STORMS of LIFE, but I guarantee  it was coupled with or inundated with “feelings” of nervousness, anxiousness, terror, or the uneasiness of facing the unknown. . “…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

YET, KING JEHOSHAPHAT'S SOUL WAS ANCHORED IN THE LORD (GOD'S HOLY WORD)

INSIDE THE STORMS of LIFE, it is not unusual for people, even the strongest warriors, to “feel” helpless, scared, terrified, nervous, overly concerned with the outcome, naked, exposed, or weak. “…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

These “FEELINGS” are not about faith, but about the affect REAL-LIFE experiences have on the finite human psyche. God’s people KNOW he is with them, but it doesn’t stop them from “feeling” the TERROR or emotions of their experience. “…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” (Hebrews 13:5 MSG).

“…After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.). Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).  

It is NOT a lack of faith to experience “feelings” of FEAR when going through the STORMS of LIFE. “…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

HERE’s WHY: King Jehoshaphat didn’t ACT upon his FEAR, but he ACTED upon his faith. HIS SOUL WAS ANCHORED IN GOD'S WORD. King Jehoshaphat trusted and depended upon God, “terrified.” Thus, in spite of his “feelings” he called upon God, the Holy Spirit, for advice and help. “... He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. …We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ …O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” …” (2 Chronicles 20: 1-30 NLT).

King Jehoshaphat went to God, INSIDE HIS STORM, “terrified.”  God didn’t condemn him, but God helped him. “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT).  “…As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). God responded to King Jehoshaphat, lovingly, by sending him a divine message through a man named Jahaziel.“…He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you … Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Jahaziel’s inspired Word from God guided, strengthened, and empowered Jehoshaphat to follow God’s instructions, stay anchored in God's comforting words, and it bought the King overwhelming victory. “…Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in (trust in, depend upon) the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“…Jehoshaphat “was” TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). However, King Jehoshaphat STILL turned to God. In spite of his feelings, the king trusted in God.  Because he did NOT trust in his “FEELINGS” of terror he was able to hear God’s word, stayed anchored, and go out to war, with his army, singing and praising HIM. “…At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped...On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. …the Lord had given them victory over their enemies...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

God didn’t hold King Jehoshaphat’s feelings of TERROR against him, because he helps his people in their weakness. “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT).

God LOVINGLY comforted King Jehoshaphat through his feelings. “…He said … Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

God even gave the King the reason NOT to be terrified. “…He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). God's WORD anchored King Jehoshaphat's soul so he could DO what he had to do.

INSIDE King Jehoshaphat’s STORM God comforted him, strengthened him, promised to fight the battle for him, and guaranteed his victory! It is NOT a LACK of FAITH to FEEL your human experience. God expects it and is more than able to SUPPLY your needs INSIDE the STORM. “…God is the one who provides [for you]…” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “… [God] … will keep in perfect peace all who trust in … [him and] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT). “….The Lord is [“your”] shepherd ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield …" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…I the LORD am thy Saviour …[even in “your” storm]...” (Isaiah 60:16 KJV).

“…there is none like unto thee (God, the Holy Spirit)…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “...he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” ( Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV).

“...THE MORE THE EGYPTIANS “OPPRESSED” THEM (GOD’S PEOPLE) THE MORE THE ISRAELITES “MULTIPLIED AND SPREAD...” (Exodus 1 NLT).

YOU MAY “FEEL” AND EXPERIENCE OPPRESSION, INSIDE THE STORMS of LIFE, BUT IT WON’T STOP YOU FROM INCREASING, MULTIPLYING, or BECOMING YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE UPON EARTH! 

“...God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!” (Numbers 23:20 NLT). “...overwhelming victory is [Y]ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). SAY WITH CONFIDENT, CHILD OF GOD, WHO IS GOING THROUGH A VERY, VERY CHALLENGING EARTHLY EXPERIENCE, ".....MY SOUL IS ANCHORED IN THE LORD..."