I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33

A few nights ago, I dreamed that I was woken up from my bed and that I walked through the lounge and through the dining room towards the backyard.  I noticed that one of the glass bifold doors was standing open and I was confused because I was sure I locked it before going to bed.  I saw that my backyard was enveloped in a thick, dark, eerie mist and it felt alive in some way.  My dining room was also pitch black and I felt very afraid and confused.  Then my cellphone started to ring on the dining table next to me.  The screen didn’t light up, so I followed the sound until I got a hold of the phone.  I answered the phone and heard my husband’s voice saying “do not be alarmed” but before I could hear more, I woke up.

As you can imagine, I was somewhat disturbed and prayed God’s protection over my husband, my children, grandchildren and loved ones.  I assumed it was a warning dream and and as such, I prayed for protection.

Today however, in church, I was reminded of the dream by something my pastor said and during worship, I felt the Lord speak into it some more.  To give you some context, let me explain what happens in our family when something bad happens…my husband gets the phone call.  He then calls me and usually says “don’t be alarmed, this and that happened but no-one is hurt”.  I think they do this because I tend to overreact when I get a fright, so my husband calms me before he even tells me that something’s happened.

What does this all mean then?  I don’t think it takes a supernatural gift of discernment to notice that some dark, evil agenda is being played out all over the world.  I was reminded of the prophet Isaiah who forewarned us when he said “For in fact, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness will cover the peoples” (v2).  I am also reminded of Paul, exhorting the Ephesians by saying “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5: 15, 16)

The question we have to ask is how does a wise person walk?  The answer is by heeding the Word of God…for example 2 Corinthians 5:7…we walk by faith, not by sight.  Philippians 4:6 is another one…”Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.”

Another way to walk in wisdom is to rely on the leading of Holy Spirit.  We have to stay in relationship with him, making sure our spiritual antennas (as my pastor calls it) are up, our cellphones are turned on.

As I was meditating on this during worship, I heard the Lord saying “you will live and not die” and also “everything you lose will be recovered and then some”.  How encouraging to be reminded that our enemy is a defeated foe and in due time will be exposed for who he really is.  We, on the other hand, are in Christ, are seated at the right hand of God with Him and we have been given authority over the enemy and the works of darkness.  We recognise the darkness around us, sometimes we even suffer because of it, but we don’t submit ourselves to it…in fact, we resist it with all our might.

Further on in chapter 60 of the book of Isaiah there are some beautiful promises.  The second part of verse 2 reads “But the Lord will rise upon you [Jerusalem] And His glory and brilliance will be seen on you.”  Even though a deep darkness is covering the globe, the glory and the brilliance of the Lord covers us.

Furthermore, verses 18 and 19; and also 21 and 22 encourages me so!

“Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
And instead of iron I will bring silver,
And instead of wood, bronze,
And instead of stones, iron.
And [instead of the tyranny of the present] I will appoint peace as your officers,
And righteousness your rulers.

“Violence will not be heard again in your land,
Nor devastation or destruction within your borders;
But you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise [to God].

“Then all your people will be [uncompromisingly and consistently] righteous;
They will possess the land forever,
The branch of My planting,
The work of My hands,
That I may be glorified

“The smallest one will become a thousand (a clan),
And the least one a mighty nation.
I, the Lord, will quicken it in its [appointed] time.”

So I say to you…do not be alarmed!  You will not die!  The Lord will cause you to recover everything that you have lost, and then some.