Conquerors: The Voice That Gives You Victory Over Fear

Jerusha: I’m thrilled to welcome back my dear friend and fellow author, Emily Conrad! Emily is giving away one free digital copy of her novel, Justice, to one of you. Leave a comment below for your chance to win!

By Emily Conrad

I sometimes wonder what Jesus would say to me if I were to speak with Him in person.

I know that Jesus is alive and well. I know that as believers, we have a relationship with Him. He leads us, and through His Word, we can indeed hear from Him.

And yet, how amazing it would be to hear His voice with my ears, to watch His facial expression, to enter into an actual, spoken conversation where I would have no doubt about which of His words He meant for me, in my specific situation.

Perhaps I’ve envisioned the situation differently than it would play out.

The disciples had the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus. They heard His voice firsthand and benefited from Jesus’s divine ability to cut right to the heart of the matter.

Unfortunately, they often struggled to understand His true identity and His meaning. Who am I to think I’d do better?

And yet, I wonder.

So it’s with interest that I read the account in Matthew 17, where some of the disciples not only witnessed Jesus’s transfiguration, but also heard the voice of the Father, saying:

“This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!” – Matthew 17:5

On the surface, the words don’t sound that intimidating, but when they heard that Voice, the disciples fell to the ground in fear.

This sort of response to God’s glory isn’t unusual.

Isaiah records his response to seeing God on his throne:

I said, “Woe to me! I am destroyed, for my lips are contaminated by sin, and I live among people whose lips are contaminated by sin. My eyes have seen the king, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” – Isaiah 6:5

When the apostle John describes his vision of the resurrected Christ, he writes,

When I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead – Revelation 1:17a

In the presence of God, our smallness and unworthiness become more than painfully apparent.

God is holy and just. On our own, we do have reason to fear Him. As Jesus said in Matthew 10:28,

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

No wonder the disciples fell to the ground in fear.

Surely, while they were there, they would listen to whatever command Jesus issued next as the voice of God had instructed. They’d follow any law, give any sacrifice, obey any command to serve, anything.

While they’re in this humbled position, what does Jesus do?

But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Do not be afraid.” – Matthew 17:7

Get up. Don’t be afraid.

I’m amazed by the gentleness of the command, but this merciful restoration is no fluke.

Something similar happens in both Isaiah’s and John’s visions. Isaiah is cleansed with a coal from the altar and commissioned for a holy mission. Jesus places his right hand on John in Revelation and entrusts him, also, with a task in His service.

Jesus offers this same mercy and restoration to all who believe:

For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. – John 3:16-17

Because Jesus paid the price for our sins and makes us right with God by the power of His blood when we believe in Him, we don’t need to cower away from the most powerful, holy Being. He restores us, directs us, and uses us for His glory. He calls us His children and promises us eternal life.

However, His isn’t always the easiest voice to hear while we walk this earth.

I have yet to have that face-to-face conversation with Jesus. I’ve heard no voices speak from a cloud.

I do, however, hear the voice of my experiences telling me I’m not safe. I hear past hurts say I need to go to greater lengths to protect my heart. News reports seem skewed to purposely stir up anxiety. Even discussions with family and friends can introduce fear into my mind.

My guess is these voices are numerous in your life too.

If we listen to those voices too long, the fear will knock us right over.

But if Jesus tells believers we needn’t be afraid of even Him, the most powerful being in existence, we shouldn’t fear anything less, either.

Once we have a right understanding of Who God is—of His power, His holiness, His love—and we’ve been adopted into His family by faith, we are safe. Nothing will happen to us outside of His control, and He has promised that all things work for the good of those who believe.

What fear has attempted to knock you flat lately?

For myself, fear of failure has dampened my excitement about a new opportunity. Fear says I shouldn’t even try. Fear tells me I’ll only be disappointed.

But I serve a God so awesome that He created this entire universe with His word. If the all-powerful God wants this new opportunity for me, nothing can take that away.

I don’t know how this opportunity will work out, but I sense Him telling me to not let fear knock me down. To get up, to try, to see what He will do.

Because whatever happens, I have the assurance that He’ll work all things for good.

Where has fear given you a painful shove toward the ground?

Friend, take Jesus’ hand. Get up. Don’t be afraid.

With Him, you are more than a conqueror.

 …and we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

What fears are you battling right now? How has God helped you get back up and beat your fear? Please share!

Photos by Matthias Tillen on Unsplash, Christopher Sardegna, and Darius Bashar on Unsplash. Original graphics designed by Jerusha Agen.

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Emily Conrad writes Christian romance and a blog to encourage women of faith. Her debut novel, Justice, released from Pelican Book Group in 2018.

She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two rescue dogs. She loves Jesus and enjoys road trips to the mountains, crafting stories, and drinking coffee. It’s no coincidence Justice is set mostly in a coffee shop!

Connect with her online at her website, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Emily is giving away one digital copy of Justice to one of you! Simply leave a comment below to enter the giveaway! (Giveaway ends April 20, 2020; winner must have U. S. Amazon/Kindle capabilities.)

JUSTICE

The love of a lifetime, a quest for justice, and redemption that can only be found by faith.

Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she’s pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it.

Brooklyn can’t bring herself to name the father as she wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake.

If Harold Keen, the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake’s coffee shop, has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both.

Can Jake and Brooklyn overcome the obstacles thrown in their path, and finally find the truth in God’s love and in each other?