As I reflect on half a century of faith and fellowship, I, Tosha Williams, find myself embarking on an extraordinary year of Jubilee, a time to declare freedom and cast off the chains of fear that bind us. This episode is not just a celebration but a personal invitation to you, the listener, to journey with me towards liberation, inspired by the ancient words of Leviticus and the transformative power of Isaiah's prophecy.
In the intimate space of this podcast, I share a profound shift in understanding that occurred while searching for comfort and assurance for my daughter, Anastasia, amid the trials of childbirth. Discover how a single Hebrew word found in Isaiah 41:10 reshaped my perspective on fear and how it can revolutionize your own struggles.
Together, let's explore what it truly means to fix our gaze upon the steadfast promises of God, rather than the daunting shadows of our anxieties. As we navigate our respective paths to freedom, this episode serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that with God's righteous right hand to uphold us, we are never alone.
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Tosha:
In the last podcast, I proclaimed the year of Jubilee. It's Jubilee in my life, as I am beginning my 50th year of walking with Jesus. But as I begin this year of Jubilee in my own life, I am taking very seriously what God's word says about Jubilee in Leviticus 25: 10. It says you are to consecrate the 50th year and proclaim freedom in the land for all its inhabitants. Today, I want to take this very seriously and proclaim freedom over fear for all of us. This past week, God showed me something through Isaiah 41-10 that absolutely affected my perspective. I believe it'll affect your perspective as well. So let's cue the intro and then come right back to talk about freedom from fear with the question what are you looking at? Welcome to the Family Disciple Me podcast. Our goal is to catalyze devotion-driven discipleship in our own lives and relationships and then around the world. We do this through easily accessible biblical resources that help us meet with God and make Him known. We call this Seek Him, speak Him. You can find out more about this, our ministry and our resources at FamilyDiscipleMe. org. Hi, my name is Tosha Williams. I'm delighted to be on this journey with you, so let's spend this moment together, seeking God in His Word about what he first has to say to us.
Tosha:
Recently, I was looking through Scripture for promises to read over my daughter, Anastasha, as she was expecting her firstborn. I wanted to find verses to encourage her along the way of finishing pregnancy and entering into labor and childbirth. While I was looking through various passages, I came across Isaiah 41: 10. This is a fairly familiar verse. You've probably read it. I've certainly read it countless times, but this past week God showed me something new for Anastasha, new for me and something that I want to share with you. Isaiah 41:10 in the ESV says this, "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. There is so much in this verse to consider as we talk about the questions that go along with Seek Him, the questions of God. What are you saying through this Scripture, God? Why does this Scripture matter, God? How do you want me to respond to this truth?
Tosha:
As I was thinking about those things, I just randomly decided to look up the word dismayed. I don't know why. I've never done that before, but for whatever reason, this past week. That's what I decided to do. And, oh, it always amazes me what God has to show us when we spend time in His Word. Now, when I read the word "dismayed, what came to your mind first?
Tosha:
For me, when I think of dismayed, I think of sorrow or sadness, or fear, or worry or anxiety. That's what I thought this verse was about when it says be not dismayed. But when I looked up the word ", I saw for the first time that it actually means to gaze. It means what you pay attention to, what you're regarding, what you're focusing your perspective on, what you're gazing at. And as I was pondering that, I realized that I have a choice I can focus on fear or I can set my gaze upon fear, not as we walk into this year of freedom.
Tosha:
My question for you, my question for me, is what am I in bondage to? What am I looking at and paying more attention to than anything else? Am I focusing on my fear? Am I focusing on my anxiety? Am I focusing on my problems or my pain or all the obstacles that are in my way? Or am I focusing on the fact that God says don't be afraid, I'm with you, I'm your God, I'm going to strengthen you, I'm going to help you, I'm going to hold on to you with my hand.
Tosha:
Thing is, all of us get the opportunity of what we set our gaze upon as we walk into this year of jubilee, as we walk into this year of freedom. We don't have to walk that direction. We don't have to receive the freedom that God has for us. We don't have to set our attention on His promises. We can instead focus on our fear, on our bondage, on our problems, on everything else that's negative. It really boils down to what perspective do we want to have?
Tosha:
I was so struck by this new understanding of Isaiah 41:10. I was so struck that God wants me to set my attention on Him. He invites me to that, and so, as we live into this year of jubilee, as you live into this year of jubilee with me, I proclaim this opportunity to you. Will you set your gaze upon fear or upon God saying fear not. I don't know about you, but I choose fear not.
Tosha:
I don't like living in fear. I don't like living in the storms of worry and the chaos of anxiety. I much prefer walking with God, relying on His strength, leaning into His promises and depending on His presence, his power in my life. I proclaim that to you. Will you receive it? Will you believe it? Will you hold on to it? Today, my friend, be encouraged. You can have freedom from fear, and it begins with your gaze. What are you looking at today? I challenge you, look up Isaiah 41:10. Spend some time with Jesus today. Listen to what he has to say to you through His Word. Now, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His countenance toward you, His gaze toward you as you turn your gaze toward Him, and may He give you peace. Now go with God, friend, free from fear, free to run, free to set your attention solely on Him and on what He has for you today. God bless you, be encouraged.