January 16

IN NO THING TERRIFIED
by Ray Prinzing

"And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to  them an evident taken of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God."                               (Philippians 1:28).

The word "adversaries" is the Greek word of "antikeimai" meaning, to be laid in opposition.  This word doesn't necessarily mean the devil, though sometimes this is our opposition.  But there is an entirely different word used in 1 Peter 5:8 where it speaks of "your adversary the devil," and uses the Greek word "antidikos," meaning opponent at law.  The devil would argue with us concerning the laws of God, as in the garden, when the serpent said, "Yes, hath God said..." and then proceeded to imply other meanings to the law of God, to distort and confuse, using some half-truths to produce deception.

But Paul also wrote that "a great effectual door is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."  (1 Corinthians 16:9).  Obstacles of opposition that are placed in our pathway for our OVERCOMING. We need not be terrified by any of the opposition allowed, planned, yes, ordained to cross our path.  Even if the opposition is more than just circumstance, manifest in the form of people, still, no need to be startled or frightened. "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist."  (Luke 21:15).

When we live in a now-consciousness that "Lo, I am with you always." (Matthew 28:20), there is a sense of security in Christ, and He is in our NOW.  Knowing our own weakness, we are afraid, but to DWELL IN GOD, to know His power, we learn to rest in HIS CONTROL of all that comes our way.  He said, "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist."  (Luke 21:15).

In nothing terrified, and He
shall lead thee on in victory.
Thou are His own, and He is thine,
A union rare, a love divine.