“Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come… He will come to save you.'” Isaiah 35:4

Triumph Over Fear

I wanted to tell you about the “It’s Time” gathering on Saturday. I have received reports from a number of people. Everyone said it was an amazing day. It’s estimated that there were 200,000+ people there. There was a big rugby game the same day—and a big cricket match, but this prayer gathering would have been the largest gathering of the day by far.

The gathering was held in Mitchell’s Plain, an area of the city that has lots of drugs and crime. God gave Angus Buchan a word that it was to become a flower…that Mitchell’s Plain would blossom and bloom in Cape Town. I think this would have been such an encouragement to those who live there.

At one point Angus felt he was to call gang leaders to come forward, lay down their guns, and follow Jesus. He said gang leaders are leaders—but they’re just going in the wrong direction. It reminded me of hearing David Wilkerson say similar things to gang leaders on the streets of New York City many years ago. Angus waited quietly as about a dozen came forward, with some of them exchanging their guns for Bibles. Then Angus went down from the stage and stood in front of them… and did something amazing at the prompting of the Lord.

He took off his cowboy hat and gave it to one young man. He told him it represented the “helmet of salvation” and he was going to be a preacher.

He took off his shirt, the “breastplate of salvation,” and told another young man that he was to spread the Gospel.

He took off his boots, having our “feet shod with the gospel of peace,” and told a young man that he’s to be a Jesus-follower, walking the streets and sharing the good news.

He then gave one his personal Bibles which had been given to him by his family, “the sword of the Spirit,” and called that young man to share the Word.

He said that these gang leaders were symbolic of a prodigal generation in the house of the Lord. On behalf of all the absent fathers and the previous generations, he clothed them in honorable garments by giving of his own clothing. He stood there barefoot, in a T-shirt before them, and gave them new purpose and direction.

Everyone who was there said this was so moving and powerful! I think it will prove to be a significant day in the spiritual history of our city.

Because of the problems of drugs, crime, gangs, vandalism and even our traffic congestion and the water crisis—I hear more and more people talking about being fearful. I hate to see that happening. Fear can be so controlling if we let it take over our hearts.

I read a quote recently: “People who live in fear tend to do plenty of nothing except, perhaps, rob themselves of the possibility of joy.” That is so true. If we let fear win, it will definitely rob our joy.

In whatever area of our lives that we find fear creeping in, we must combat it with the truth of who God is in our lives. That is our protection. That is how we keep hope and joy alive in our hearts.

I find I am most vulnerable to battling fear when I’m tired. When I’m tired or weak—and I’m facing something that can bring fear into my heart—I start speaking out praise and worship to God for who He is. I find it brings “balance” into the situation. It puts things back in perspective!

As Easter approaches, it’s good to remember that Jesus conquered fear for us on the cross. His death and resurrection bring victory into so many areas of our life—and fear is one of them. He is victorious over fear of any kind, of anything, in us by His power.

“Thank You, Jesus, for Your great victory!”