Living in the world of uncertainties, one can easily be tossed and turned by unprecedented challenges.  It often feels like negativity and chaos are amplified each day.  Alarming and overwhelming news seem to constantly lead the streams that may cause one to question one’s peace.

Thanks be to the Lord our God Who is rich in mercy and abounding in love.  He not only knows all things, but He holds all things in the palm of His hand.  When we believe in this truth and put our trust in Him, in spite of all the shaking and quaking around us, He keeps us still.

“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.”  (Isaiah 26:3)

It indeed takes faith to believe in the One Whom we do not see, but what makes us rooted and grounded is His Word that says, “Now FAITH is the ASSURANCE (the CONFIRMATION, the TITLE DEED) of the things [we] hope for, being the PROOF of things [we] do not see and the CONVICTION of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” (Hebrews 11:1 AMPC).  Faith is never wishful thinking.  It is having the assurance of a good outcome because God is good. In His goodness and great love, He sent His only Begotten Son, Jesus, paid a steep price that cost His life that we may have, enjoy life and have it more abundantly.

I have been a facilitator of this season’s Alpha Film Series in our church.  One thing that I got most blessed with was when the attendees were asked if they believed in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  We, then, came to a unanimous conclusion that even if Jesus walked on the earth 2000 years ago, each one’s personal daily encounter and fellowship with Him in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is more than enough proof, authentication, validation and evidence that He is alive, He is good, He is faithful, He is the Truth, He loves us so, He is dwelling in us and living His life through us.

Yes, we meditate His Word day and night witnessing how people were touched by our Lord Jesus’ presence when He walked on the earth that brought transformation into their lives, but, we do not stop there.  The Lord is constantly issuing an invitation for us to intimately encounter Him, so, we, too, can write our own custom-made, unique, distinct and peculiar God-stories and testimonies and glorify Him.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

When He knocks at the door of our hearts right at this moment, are we up to opening it? The Holy Spirit wants friendship and fellowship with us more than we want friendship and fellowship with Him.

I always watch and listen to preachers that I follow saying, “the Lord said .. or I had an unction …”, and guess what? … these scenarios surely stirred my heart to long to hear Him speak to me, too.  Why not?  Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).  When we are IN CHRIST, we are His sheep and He is our Good Shepherd Who normally leads us by speaking to us.

Just about a week ago, I applied for a Visitor Visa for New Zealand.  I carefully filled every item up, uploaded the needed documents and submitted.

Because I heard of many people being denied to secure a visitor visa in some other countries, I was a bit concerned.  I couldn’t put confidence on my own ability of never having been denied in the past, because nowadays, with the way the world is, nothing is certain.

I prayed and asked to hear Him speak to me and this was the verse that stood out for me, “Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 AMPC)

We cannot be banking on our own selves if we want the assurance of the outcome of what we are praying for.  Instead, we humble ourselves, demote ourselves before His greatness.  We couldn’t be a “know it all” person or “I have it all” person.  We lower ourselves in our own estimation UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD and know that our safety and security is only found under His mighty hand of help, of deliverance and of rescue. 

Then, we cast our whole care, in my case was my visa application, taking it from our own hands and into His mighty hand ONCE AND FOR ALL. When we put our care under His hand, we put our care under His might whose power no foe can come against.

I opened the book Sparkling Gems from the Greek and checked what “casting” means.  Its Greek word “Epiripto” means to hurl, to throw, or to cast, and it often means to violently throw or to fling something with great force.

The other place in the scriptures where this word is found is in Luke 19:35, where it says, “And they brought him to Jesus, and they CAST their garments upon the colt, and they sat Jesus there on.”   This correctly conveys the idea of the word “Epiripto”, which in secular literature often pictured the flinging of a garment, bag, or excess weight off the shoulders of a traveler and onto the back of some other beast, such as a donkey, camel or horse.

You and I are not meant to carry the burden of all our worries, fears, anxieties and concerns.  We may be able to manage these for a certain amount of time, but eventually breaking comes when this type of perpetual pressures are tolerated.   

When we cast our cares to Him, they are surely taken care of because He cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully.  He is affectionate to you and me, and is more than delighted to uplift us.  His eyes are always on a look out, going to and fro seeking those He can make Himself strong to and demonstrate His might.  He is so watchful that all the cares we put in His hand, He watches them, takes care of them and busies Himself with them.  Hallelujah!

After I meditated on these verses, I had an unction from deep within me saying, “IN CHRIST, you have never been denied access to the throne of My Presence and I Am the Creator of all.  Why would you worry about being denied entry into New Zealand, a nation that I have created.  Isn’t it that the Creator is greater and is no match compared to His creation?”

I was speechless, in awe of what He has spoken to me and my only response was worship. I worshipped Him Who is worthy of it all.  Peace that surpasses all knowledge filled my heart completely with joy unspeakable full of glory and dislodged all the worries and anxieties that were trying to build their nests over my head.

In the waiting is when we get bombarded with thoughts to worry us, because everytime we allow ourselves to be anxious, we give up fellowship with the One Who loves us, watches over us, never leaving us nor forsaking us. Worship while waiting is best posture to keep us fortified, inaccessible to the fiery darts of the enemy.

A few days later, I received an email with my approved visit visa.  Praise the Lord!

Indeed, when He speaks with His words that carry the fragrance of His overwhelming love, all worries, cares, concerns and anxieties are immediately dismissed.  His personal words of assurance pulverized everything else. 

We are to keep in mind that when we find favor with the Creator of all, we surely would find favor with His creation and it is for a lifetime. GLORY TO GOD!

“My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹ Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
²² For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
²³ Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:20-23)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for always on a sweeping and keeping Your eyes over the horizon seeking those who seek to encounter and meet with You.  You have given us hope that never disappoints for You have poured out Your love in our hearts by Your Spirit.  Thank You, Jesus.  Be our Lord, our Savior and our Good Shepherd every day and in every way.  We long to fellowship with You to experientially know You in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  For only in You life is found, joy is found, peace is found and love is deeply known.  Amen!