Redefining Life

UV 954/10,000 Redefining Life The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid. Zephaniah 3 v 13 The remnant of Israel refers to those who are born again by hearing and believing the Word of God. Our new being is conceived not by the will or desire of man but by the will of God and our conscious choice. We are no longer Jacob the deceiver for blessings but Israel the receiver of blessings. The Lord first defines us and then He refines us. He will refine us in the crucible of experiences of life. We will walk according to the teachings and commandments of God given through Moses, the prophets and Jesus. We will be considered righteous in the eyes of God. We will not speak lies. We will be like Nathaniel of whom Jesus testified that “there is no guile in this man.” The Word will set us free from our former captivities to sin, untruth and deceit. We are transparent before the Lord and He can read us and see through us. He knows our every thought, emotion and aspiration. Jacob the deceiver had to run away from his home and run away from his brother in fear that he would take revenge for his deceit. Even years later he was haunted by his fear that Esau would kill his wives and children. But once he encountered the Lord and received his blessing, Jacob the restless soul became Israel the restful person. His brother Esau reconciled with him and embraced him. Jesus as the good Shepherd will lead us to still waters where we can rest and lie down in peace. He will comfort, encourage and deliver us from spiritual predators. He will feed us daily and nourish our souls with His living words even as our bodies draw strength and pleasure from marrow and fatness of meat. We anchor our lives in Him. We find our stability and our security in Him. We have a frank and honest relationship with the Lord. We can confide in Him our deepest fears and anguish. Once we have unburdened ourselves in His presence, we are assured that He knows what is best for us and that He is capable of resolving it forever. Neither guilt nor fear nor worry will seize our hearts and minds. Guilt becomes grace, fear becomes faith and worry becomes hope. It is a great promise that we receive from this uni-verse- no one, absolutely “no one can make us afraid.” Since the Lord has declared us righteous, no trace of guilt for any of the sins we have done in the past or the lies we have spoken affects us any longer. Since God is for us and with us and in us, we need not fear anyone or anything. We are not worried as His grace and power is sufficient for us to deal with any negativity in our lives. Prateep V Philip