She came out of the trees at a slow trot seemingly to greet me but my fear kicked in. She crossed the ditch and came toward me with a low growl. My fear remembered the unpredictability of the unknown.
Will this be the place I quit?
From the front porch she hears her master call so she retreats. I am still left scared. Do I go back home after only making half of my goal?
What was it that happened to Daniel? I just read it. Just considered the fear and trembling Daniel felt at the presence of “… a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!”
(Daniel 10:5 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/dan.10.5.nkjv)
So should I fall on my face, trembling? Will I allow this creature stop me? Will I allow fear to stop me? She is not nearly as intimidating as this “man clothed in linen.” But I am not Daniel either. But haven’t I experienced the protection he knew when in that den of lions?
So I remember further.
“Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.”
Daniel 10:8 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/dan.10.8.nkjv
But perhaps it is not my strength I should count on. My strength is frail. My muscles turn to jelly. My heart wants to seize and choke the life out of me. All I see are big teeth wanting to taste that jelly.
“And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.””
Daniel 10:19 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/dan.10.19.nkjv
He strengthens me. And I remember…
“who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
I Peter 1:5 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1pe.1.5.nkjv
His power. Not mine. His salvation. Faith that makes me know His protection.
So I continue….
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/heb.12.1.nkjv
