Daily Devotional For Sunday, March 23, 2025

Have you ever felt scared and defenseless? What did you do when that happened? Today, I want to tell you about the God who fights for us. He will never leave you defenseless. You can run to Him when you are scared and find refuge in His arms.

In 1989, soon after we bought our first home, we decided to get a dog. Now, not just any dog. Two of our closest friends had Westies (West Highland White Terriers). So, we got an adorable little puppy and named her Bonnie Blue. Yes, this began our journey with Westie Rescue. Since this was a starter home and our first home, we got it at a reasonable price. It was what is called a “split level.” Meaning, when you came in through the front door, you immediately entered the living room. Off of it was a dining area and the kitchen.

From the living room you could go upstairs where the bedrooms were or you could go downstairs where a family room and laundry room were. Back to Bonnie – one nice Saturday afternoon we decided to wash our car and work in the yard. We wanted Bonnie to be outside with us and enjoy the fresh air. So, we tethered her with a very long leash so she could see us but be safe and stay out of the street. Simultaneously, I went inside to get something to drink and Audrey went in to change into some shorts. While Audrey was upstairs, she looked out of the window and saw a big, furious dog charging across the street heading directly to Bonnie. Like SuperWoman or Wonder Woman, Audrey jumped from the top of the stairs down to the bottom and flew out the front door. Bonnie had cowered and was terrified! Audrey rushed between Bonnie and this attacking dog and screamed at it. This charging dog realized it had met its match, quickly put on the brakes, stopped and scurried back across the street to his home.

So, what is my point here? Just as Audrey was willing to put herself between Bonnie and this raging, charging dog to protect Bonnie, so is our God. In Exodus 14, the Hebrews found themselves trapped. Behind them was a raging ferocious Egyptian army wanting revenge for the death of all of their first born and the Red Sea in front of them. They began to complain and whine to Moses, reminding him they had it better in Egypt. Moses said these words to these cowering Hebrews in Exodus 14:13-14, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. (14) The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (NASB).

Fear is a natural response to a threat. When we get bad news from a medical test, fear is natural. When we are driving on the road and someone cuts in front of us, fear is a natural reaction. When our kids are late coming home, fear is a natural response. The reason Moses rebukes the Hebrews is that God had given them His word He would get them out of Egypt and save them. They had enough proof already that God keeps His word. 

Even the strongest human warriors have their limits. But we have a God who is a Mighty Warrior with no limits. He faithfully guards our hearts. When we are weak, we can lean on God because He is strong. 

There are times in all of our lives where darkness seems to envelop us. What I do know when this happens is that Light dispels darkness. David wrote this in Psalm 139:12, “Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You” (NASB). There have been times in my life where darkness felt all-enveloping but then God reminded me that He is with me. He sent reinforcements through personal godly friends to encourage and pray over me. God, as the Light, showed me how to come to the Light and be free from the darkness. For some, this may take longer depending on their attitude and response to God’s word to them. Jesus said this in John 3:19-21:

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. (20) For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (21) But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God” (NASB).

All of this helped lift me out of despair. God heals our scars because when you are in a battle, you may be wounded by the enemy you are fighting. But God doesn’t let you stay in pain; He gently heals you over time. Our Lord is willing to fight these battles for you and bring you to victory. Years ago, a Christian song came out with this lyric, “Fear is a liar.” I know what they are trying to say, but fear is a natural response. Every time God sent an angel to someone, that angel always had to say to that person, “Fear not.” 

Questions To Consider

1. When was a time in your life where fear enveloped you and all you could see was the darkness? How did you respond and come out of it?
2. With all the promises from God to you in His Word, the Bible, does fear ever still envelop you? Why?
3. When have you chosen the darkness and not the Light and fear overtook you? How did you recover?
4. Just like that raging dog came unexpectedly after Bonnie Blue, life comes raging unexpectedly at us too. So, how can we be prepared for these unexpected events?
5. Unfortunately, we tend to believe that living healthy, long lives is the goal of life and God’s responsibility to us for saving us. The truth is – nowhere in the Bible does it say that. We superimpose that from our own misguided theology.  So, what words would you give to someone, another Christian, in which the darkness has overtaken them with something unexpected?

Scripture To Meditate On: John 14:27,  “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (NASB).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, life comes at us, often shocking us with fearful situations. Please help me to trust You to fight these battles for me. Please empower me through Your Holy Spirit to accept these unexpected situations like the Apostle Paul does in Romans 14:17-18 – that whether I live or die, I still win because I belong to You. I accept that the goal of life is not longevity, but godliness, holiness and righteousness for Your glory. Please help me to live this kind of life for You. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly