Over the last few years, our neighborhood has hosted an unusual wildlife group. You will not expect coyotes, hawks, raccoons, skunks, or possums to roam the city streets. So, each day, when I walk my dog or let him out in the evening, we encounter a new guest at our home, who usually scurries away when the dog comes launching towards it.
Recently, while fiddling with my keys in the driveway, I heard a faint growling noise. I looked around, then down to the ground, and noticed a baby possum. I stepped back, thinking it was a mouse, and nearly screamed. Looking closer, I saw a long, pointy nose and tail. Then, the possum stood on his hind legs and waved his little hands like a miniature ghost.
At 64 inches, I towered over the four-inch creature. Yet, the possum bellowed to warn me to keep away. In an Okay Corral fashion, we squared off. He was on his side, and I was on mine. We stared at each other and waited. Then the little guy gave another enormous roar and stepped forward. Impressive! But I stood my ground. Frustrated, the possum ran for the trees, turned to look at me, then proceeded up the branches.
I don’t know what happened to that little possum, but I never forgot him. He exhibited bravery and did not let the gigantic threat in front of him deter his journey, nor did he shy away from the obstacle.
What I respect about the possum is that he faced his fear. I don’t know if his battle cries were phony or an innate defense mechanism to shew me away. But I know I admired his attempt. He stood his ground and was ready to give it his all to fight the good fight. The possum had power, and he would use it with everything he had inside him.
That is an excellent reminder that we also have power. Ephesians 1:18-20 says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are under the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”
Most of us don’t realize we received power when we became believers. The Holy Spirit infused us with strength. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us …”
An author once said that fear is our response to uncertainty about our resources in the face of danger. We deserve to be fearful if we rely solely on our capabilities. Self-reliance is not God-honoring. It’s unbelief. The adage, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not scriptural.
Thus, Ephesians 1:20 tells us that the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and placed him at the Father’s right hand is the same power instilled in all believers. Raising someone from the dead is not a function for man, but for God. However, Jesus Christ gives us His Spirit as a helper. The Spirit comforts us, convicts us of sin, empowers us to overcome temptation, and provides the strength to do everything.
In Pastor John MacArthur’s sermon, “Coming Alive in Christ,” he says, “(Paul) He’s praying, ‘Oh, God, may these Christians understand their resource, their reservoir, their power, their might, their energy. May they know what they have in having Christ.’ To illustrate that, he says, ‘It is the power that was so powerful it unlocked the chains of death and set Christ free and drew him right up to an exalted place at the right hand of God.’ That’s the power.’”
So, how does this power help conquer your fears? Psalm 56:11 says, “In God, I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
A Tree Firmly Planted 