02/22/2025
I was reading my devotional this morning and came upon something that set me back. As I thought about it, I realized that it was true... what I read was a statement regarding man's greatest fear which is that Jesus might fail. Pastor Oswald Chambers explained it in this way:
"The greatest fear of man is not that he will be damned, but that Jesus Christ will be worsted, that the things He stood for - love and justice and forgiveness and kindness among men - will not win out in the end; the things He stands for will look like will-o'-the-wisps."
This is the fear of those who don't know our God in all His greatness, but this is also a fear which exists in earthbound mankind and gives them a way of justifying their ungodly actions. As for the faithful, we see God in all of His omnipotence and not only cling, but bond with His Word in that regard. We hear God speak in His Holy Word and know it to be absolute truth.
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
Psalms 46:10-11 KJV
As Christian believers there is no fear of failure in us because we see and hear God in all His power. We don’t harbor doubt and hold Him and His Son Jesus above all else.
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
Revelation 19:6 KJV
We also know the end of the creation story. We read Revelation and raise our hands as Jesus reconciles us, His bride, to Himself and God, and we shout in joy and praise God as the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from Himself...
“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:2-4 KJV
No more crying, death, pain, or sorrow, these things which mankind fears will all fall away. The victory of God is complete. In this I hear the words of Isaiah as he prophesies regarding the strength and infallibility of God...
“For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
Isaiah 14:27 ESV
And God also saying...
“Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?"”
Isaiah 43:13 ESV
The great fear of mankind that Chambers spoke of, that Jesus might fail, is foolishness. It is just another lie of the dark one who seeks to distract us from the truth and rob us of our salvation and the glory of God. The Word of God assures us that in the end we will have placed Christ and the will of God before even our own lives, and that Satan will be defeated and cast down. Are we prepared to trust Him with our lives, or will we be thrown down with Satan?
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
Revelation 12:10-11 ESV
So, we should not fear defeat. The goodness of God and the love He has for us will not fail and we will live on with Him forever; basking in His glory and praising His name. To this truth we should bind ourselves and never be separated. Do we claim Jesus as our redeemer today, and God as our sovereign Lord? Do we hold to this as absolute truth?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing your majesty, mercy and grace to me and for sending your Son Jesus the Christ to redeem and seal me in your eternal self. Father, I call out your name when fear beckons, and you answer me in the rush of the wind, the roar of crashing waves, and even in the din of mortal combat. Nothing can drown out your voice. You love and protect me always and I place you before my own will and life. Your glory shall reign omnipotent, and I will be with you always. You are the heart of my existence and have redeemed me for yourself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, your beloved Son.
I will not be misled by the seeds of fear that Satan sows through his lies but will reside in your love and strength forever... knowing through your every Word that you are eternally true, and that your plan for me from its beginning to end is good. I will thus hold firm to your truth and accept it as proof, through my understanding therein, that the deceitful words that are in Lucifer's mouth are lies meant to undo me and separate us. Lord, you are the victor in all things and for all time and eternity. I pray that my voice will be heard ringing throughout heaven as I sing my praises to you and shout in joyous celebration as Satan is cast down into the eternal lake of fire, even as the New Jerusalem descends from you as a sign of your final glorious victory over sin and death. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who never wavers from your love for me, and your desire that I should not perish, but be with you always. Holy are you who will bring an end to all but your goodness, and who will instill in me your righteous peace and joy forevermore. Hear this my prayer as I pray it in the name of Jesus and ask that your will be done in it. Let every believer speak it with me and claim it as they call out with me to you… Amen! Amen! Amen!
Hallelujah, and Amen!
Rich Forbes