I hope all of you readers are doing well by the grace and mercy of the LORD.

It’s been a bit since I have been on here, but I am coming to write an encouraging post. It is so that you and I do not lose heart. We are more than conquerors. And we have GOD on our side and have the victory even while going through various trials, circumstances, and situations.

The LORD has called us not to fear but to be girded. What is the definition of girded?

According to the Webster dictionary, girded means to prepare for action and to make something fast and secure.

You are not called to fear things or men, but you are called to fear GOD. You are called to walk in power, love, and sound mind according to 2 Timothy 1:7.

This is not something new, but when something that I want to remind you, and myself as well. And here’s an example, according 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah. Additionally, one important thing to know is that he feared GOD. How do I know that he feared GOD. Grab you bibles and begin reading the first few verses of this chapter.

As you keep reading, stop at verse 3 of 2 Chronicles 20. Let’s read what verse three says:

“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.”

What does this tell you? That King Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD.

Resolve is to deal with successfully.

So what did King Jehoshaphat do when he learned that 3 nations were set against him? He dealt with it by quickly turning to the LORD.

The LORD instructed the people of Judah and the king. He told them what to do against the three nations. This is found in verse 17.

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ”

The LORD GOD said these three things:

1. Take your position
2. Stand firm
3. See the deliverance the LORD will give you

What did the LORD tell the His people? To still take their position. He still told them to move forward. And then He told them to stand firm. He told them, in other words, to be girded.

When you are girded, it means you have defenses. You have a shield to hinder and stop the attacks of enemy. And who is our shield? The King of Glory, strong and mighty, and who is mighty in battle.

King Jehoshaphat made a decision to not fear, but to inquire of the LORD. He makes the LORD his refuge and fortress in his circumstances.

What does this tell you? When something happens in your life, and it makes you fear, your first thought is to come to the LORD. To call His name. To run to Him for safety. It is to ultimately pray before Him. It is to cast our cares on the LORD and ask Him to lead you into all truth.

To go deeper, I want to highlight this specific verse that I mentioned in the earlier post. In 2 Timothy 1:7, the WORD says:

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

When I read this a while ago, a new revelation came forth, which really encouraged me. And the commentary by Matthew Henry highlights this verse very well. Here’s the commentary:

“Fear not the face of man; fear not the dangers you may meet with in the way of your duty.” God hath delivered us from the spirit of fear, and hath given us the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. The spirit of power, or of courage and resolution to encounter difficulties and dangers;-the spirit of love to God, which will carry us through the opposition we may meet with, as Jacob made nothing of the hard service he was to endure for Rachel: the spirit of love to God will set us above the fear of man, and all the hurt that a man can do us;-and the spirit of a sound mind, or quietness of mind, a peaceable enjoyment of ourselves, for we are oftentimes discouraged in our way and work by the creatures o our own fancy and imagination, which a sober, solid, thinking mind would obviate, and would easily answer.”
Matthew Henry, Commentary on 2 Timothy 1

So remember this: you are meant to talk in power, where His power is at work within you. You are meant to walk in love, where you are able to face any challenges. And you are meant to walk in sound mind, where the peace of GOD that surpasses all understanding, guards your mind and heart in Christ.

Also know that any battles that tries to come against us, it is the LORD’s fight. We do not have to fight. But we are called to declare that the mountain be uprooted and cast itself into the sea. And the WORD of the LORD will fulfill it in name of Jesus whose authority is in heaven, earth , and under the earth.

Stand your position as a child of GOD, arm yourself with the armor of GOD. Know and understand that when you trust in GOD and He goes before you to fight your battles, there is nothing to fear. You are girded and armed in the LORD.

So gird yourself in the LORD. My encouragement for you is for you to stand on the power of GOD, His power and strength. His love that is enough for you to keep going. And the sound of mind that set your thoughts on Him so everything else.