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Biblical, battle-tested, real-life help for "living by faith in the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20). — Steve Fuller

Promises Which Comfort Me in a New Country

Map Abu DhabiNew Country

We are thrilled to be in Abu Dhabi.

The people are friendly, the food is amazing, the skyline is spectacular, and the gulf waters are beautiful.

And we have been warmly welcomed and loved and helped in countless ways by our new friends.

But in spite of all that, there is uncertainty and lack of familiarity —

  • what’s a kilogram, and how many kilograms of deli meat should we buy?
  • where will we live?
  • what kind of car should we buy?
  • what’s 23 dirhams in dollars?
  • what’s the best way to call my parents?
  • what will this new church plant look like?

Flaming Darts

As a result, one morning I woke up with my heart overwhelmed by insecurity, fear, and doubt — flaming darts of the evil one, just like Paul described in Ephesians 6:17.

So what could I do?  Here’s what Paul said —

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.

So I needed to take up the shield of faith — which means praying over God’s promises until my faith is strengthened.

Taking up the Shield

So I got up, made some tea, sat down, and prayed –

Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am, and by faith in Christ alone be forgiven, loved, welcomed, and helped.

Strengthen my faith through your word.  Crush the unbelief behind my insecurity, fear, and doubt.  Give me a fresh outpouring of your Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joshua 1-2

Then I opened my Bible, and turned to the first passage assigned by my reading plan — Joshua 1-2.

It was exactly what I needed to hear –

I will not leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous. (vv.5-6)

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (v.9)

I thought about how, amidst all the uncertainty and unfamiliarity, God was here.

Not only was he here, he would use all this to bring us great good, and would give us all the strength we needed in the meantime.

Therefore, I did not need to be frightened or dismayed.  Instead I could be strong and courageous — in him.

As I prayed over those verses,I could feel the Holy Spirit strengthening my faith.

Psalm 72

My next assigned reading was Psalm 72, in which the author prays for and describes the king which God had promised to Israel.

I was stirred by verse 12 –

For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.

Since Jesus is the ultimate king promised to Israel, this verse points to Jesus.

So whenever we are feeling needy, poor, or helpless, Jesus will deliver us whenever we call upon him.

That means he will deliver ME when I call upon him.

So I called upon him — asking him to strengthen me, to give me grace to handle all the changes, and to confirm our call to Abu Dhabi.

As I prayed I could feel my heart fill with his peace and strength.

Mark 1

My next reading was Mark 1:1-8.  John’s words about Jesus, in v.8, specially strengthened me —

I baptized you with water but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

So I prayed for a fresh baptism of the Spirit — that I could once again see and feel Christ as my all-satisfying Treasure, and as the one who promises to take care of my every need in this new country.

God gave me passion to pray for this — and a confidence that he would answer, which strengthened my faith even more.

1 Corinthians 1

My final reading was 1 Corinthians 1:1-17.  I stopped and lingered when I came to v.8 —

[Our Lord Jesus Christ] will sustain you to the end.

Isn’t it good news that Jesus will sustain us, and that we don’t have to sustain ourselves?

So I cried out to Jesus — pleading with him to sustain me, hold me up, and help me.

Extinguished

So what happened to those flaming darts of insecurity, fear, and doubt?

Honestly, at this point they were gone — replaced by peace, strength, and hope.

I knew God was for me, that he would take care of every concern, and that he would give me everything I needed.

All I had done was wield the shield of faith, by praying over God’s promises.

And just as God promised, God used that shield of faith to extinguish every flaming dart I was facing.

And he will do the same for you.

Questions?  Comments?

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Category: Stories from My Life

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8 Responses

  1. Jim at Growing Faith says:

    This is a great story for all of us to hear! Thank you for sharing it with us.

  2. Zach says:

    Good word and great encouragement. We share those anxieties and fears daily and have to take the thoughts captive immediately to extinguish what’s not from God. It’s a blessing to see your faith!

  3. Nancy says:

    Sharing your need to overcome your fear by remembering and trusting in Gods gracious promises was an encouragement for me as I am going through grief. Thank you.

  4. bev says:

    Hi steve, I am in serious trouble!! I have been praying and pleading with God to open my eyes to the truth, and he is telling me that.,, I am refusing to believe and accept the truth!! Is there anything I can do???? I have never been able to trust God!! ( tears)

    • Steve Fuller says:

      Hi Bev —

      First of all, are you part of a Bible-teaching and living church, which has some wise, godly women who could pray with and for you? That would be deeply encouraging to you.

      And regarding your question, it is clear from your comment that you WANT to believe and accept the truth.

      So I would take heart in Mark 9:24 – where the father of the demonized boy cries out “I believe; help my unbelief!” And Jesus responds favorably to this request.

      Jesus is the great physician. He specializes in healing unbelieving hearts.

      And he will do this as you ask for his help (Mark 9:24; Luke 11:13), and as you meditate on his word (Romans 10:17).

      In Christ,

      Steve

  5. Denny says:

    Thanks for sharing this story. A deep and sure way to extinguish the darts of the enemy.

    Prayer and the word of God. Thank you Lord.

  6. Christine says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this message and reminder from our Heavenly Father! I pray for your ministry. It amazes me how God has used your move to a foreign country to encourage others who remain in the nation you moved from. Thank your obedience in sharing.

  7. Ana says:

    Thank you very much for sharing. It’s very encouraging to see how God can transform our life. I moved to US 3 years ago before I became Christian I didn’t know anyone in this country other than my husband, I didn’t know how to leave my neighborhood I went to a deep depression and panic attacks for 2 years. Then I realized that I couldn’t do it on my own and I got a psychiatry treatment for 6 month and counseling treatment for a year. But when I got to know Jesus and make him Lord of my life everything has changed. I born again and “He make me laugh” and joyful!God amazed me, now my life have sense.

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