Do you wake up every day in anguish over a besetting lust or habit? Do you live in torment, thinking, \u201cThis awful thing is still alive in me\u201d?<\/p>\n
God knows all about the sin remaining in your heart, and he knows how you hate it and have wept over it. Now he wants you to hear this word: \u201cThe Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise him\u201d (Psalm 28:7, NKJV)<\/em>.<\/p>\n Because of this, David could say, \u201cI will fear no evil\u201d (see Psalm 23:4). Satan would get the victory if he could just convince David to be afraid, and the enemy works in the same way against you. He wants you to be afraid that you never will be set free.<\/p>\n God says to all grieving, hurting saints, \u201cFear not! I see and know all your suffering, and I will not permit Satan to destroy you.\u201d You may ask, \u201cBut what am I to do? How can I have the Lord\u2019s peace and rest in all this?\u201d<\/p>\n The answer is found in God\u2019s word to Moses and Israel. With a sea before them and an enemy behind them and no place for them to turn, God commanded them, \u201cDo not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will accomplish for you today\u2026. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace\u201d (Exodus 14:13-14)<\/em>.<\/p>\n What does this last phrase \u201dhold your peace\u201d mean? It means no more worrying, no more trying to figure everything out and instead trusting God to make a way for you. That is when he gives you his word of direction, as he gave to Israel, \u201cGo forward\u201d (see Exodus 14:15).<\/p>\n Joshua also faced impossible enemies. He and his weary band of unskilled troops had to march all night to Gibeon, where they faced a massive military machine. As Joshua looked down at the battlefield, he saw the valley filled with mighty chariots and well-trained infantrymen.<\/p>\n Scripture says, \u201cAnd the Lord said to Joshua, \u2018Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.\u2019\u201d (Joshua 10:8)<\/em>.<\/p>\n God pronounced victory before Joshua even went into battle. He said, \u201cThe victory is already won. Not one of these enemy soldiers will be left standing after the battle. Now, go and fight, knowing I have promised you the victory!\u201d<\/p>\n That is the message of the cross. The victory has already been won for us.<\/p>\n