Two by Two

This is a series of devotions and meditations on scripture that reject fear in any and all forms. It emphasizes the power of faith and the importance of companionship and support in our journey of faith. It highlights the significance of working together, whether in marriage, ministry, or other endeavors, and encourages believers to encourage and uplift one another. The transcription also reminds us of God's promise to always be with us and urges us to choose not to be afraid. Welcome to Fear No Fear. Grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit embrace you today. This is a series of devotions and meditations on scripture. We reject fear in any and all forms. Fear is a spiritual force, the currency of darkness and ignorance. It's what we inherited when Adam gave up his faith and Satan uses it to keep people down. His only weapon is words. If he can get you believing or looking at words of fear, he's got you. Instead, we champion faith as an allegiance to God, as a belief and trust and loyalty to the Lord God Almighty. We accept the evidence of His word as unvarnished truth, as is, just as it's written. We get close to His perfect love through the word, and perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4.18 All scripture is taken from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Visit eBible.org Judges 7, 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go with Purah your servant down to the camp. There were a lot of raiders. Verse 12 says, The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for multitude, and their camels were without number, as the sand which is on the seashore for multitude. Ever seen a swarm of locusts out of control? It's a lot. If Gideon was afraid to go down against them with 300 men, verse 7, then what difference would one man beside him make? All the difference in the world, actually. Right from the beginning, the Lord established us as people, people. That doesn't come naturally to all of us because we're flesh creatures in a fallen world. I know something about this. I am not a natural people person. I've had to train myself to be one. I would be perfectly happy in a cave somewhere as long as I had a source of food and water that wasn't stolen or that involved me killing and roasting animals. It's just not my thing. But the alone part? I'd be fine with that part. I have an active mind, and I don't feel I really need people. But feelings aren't real, and God knows what He is about. The Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him. Genesis 2.18 Now, even before that, in Genesis 1.27, it says God created humanity as male and female. But here it is spelled out for those like me, It is not good to be alone. We were designed for fellowship. Now, it wasn't just a companion God was talking about, someone who would be beside the male. It was much more than that. A suitable and complementary other half. A beneficial counterpart who balanced Him out. An equal who was different but made of the same stuff. In fact, Genesis goes on to say that God brought every land animal and bird to Him. Every livestock animal and every field animal and every bird of the air. All of them. And in all of that variety and complexity and function, I'm sorry dogs, no one, not one was suitable as a companion for the male. We needed someone who was like us but also unlike us. Someone who could reason like us and do everything we couldn't. Someone equal. We wouldn't have to shepherd them. We wouldn't need to be babied by them. Equal partners on exactly the same level as the other. Two halves of the whole. That was our design. It is how we are meant to function. Everything else, you know, the issues with the structure of authority, for example, all that came after the fall. In the garden, we were perfect. Matched to each other. Each to their tasks. Tasks complementing and perfect harmony and togetherness. With no rough edges. No resentment. No domination. No submission. Co-equal halves of the whole unit. And that's the model God delineates in Genesis 2.24 and that Jesus affirms in Matthew 19.46. It's the model of procreation, of course. That's basic biology 101. No matter what anyone today might tell you about their feelings and who they really are, regardless of how they were born, remember that in all of creation, the predominant model of procreation is male and female. There's a plethora of ways they accomplish it, but that's how it works. When the animals were preserved in the ark, they were preserved male and female in pairs and groups of pairs, Genesis 7. But the pairing of two together is more than just about procreation. It's about two becoming one. Two blending together and working together and becoming so much more than one can become alone. This is what marriage is all about. It isn't about coming together to have kids. I mean, that's great, and it's a fulfillment of the command to be fruitful, but coming together as one to produce in life is just as important as producing life, and it is also being fruitful. We are meant to subdue the earth, to tend it, to have dominion over it. You don't do that by having babies. You have to work together and do something. Being fruitful with your lives, being a blessing to those around you and enabling them to prosper, being fruitful with your walk with the Lord together, being a witness to those around you, being the light shining out Jesus' goodness. This is all being fruitful. Being who Jesus has called you to be together, not just individually. Couples are helpmates to each other, partners, co-conspirators, friends, miniature models of the Trinity, Jesus, husband, wife, father, son, spirit, two becoming one in Jesus. But the model of two together goes beyond just marriage. As with today's verse, we're given partners in various endeavors, people who are to work together to accomplish great things, or maybe just silly things. There's a lot of value to that as well. But the Lord often calls us out together, partners to work together, play together, complementing each other and accomplishing things side by side. He's been doing it from the get-go of the church. As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate Barnabas and Saul from me for the work to which I have called them. Acts 13.2 When Paul and Barnabas parted ways, Paul did not go out alone, but took Silas with him. In Acts 15.40 Paul wrote most of the New Testament. He was certainly capable of accomplishing his work alone, but he didn't think it good. But then Paul had been a Pharisee and well-versed in the Old Testament. Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. If they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls and doesn't have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth, but how can one keep warm alone? If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4.9-12 There's something about two people together who can do mighty things. Now it happened on a day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, let's go over to the Philistine's garrison that's on the other side. But he didn't tell his father. 1 Samuel 14.1 These two guys went out and started the fight that drove the Philistines away from Israel. 1 Samuel 14.1-13 They did it side by side, together, each one taking strength from the other. In fact, those that Jonathan didn't kill, his armor-bearer did. The armor-bearer left no one able to rise up and take Jonathan from behind. What one could not complete, the other one did. A team, like-minded, joined in their hearts. His armor-bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Go, and behold, I am with you according to your heart. 1 Samuel 14.7 It is a powerful combination. Jesus utilized the model in order to really cement it to us. Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others and sent them two by two ahead of Him into every city and place where He was about to come. Luke 10.1 He called to Himself His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. Matthew 10.1 The twelve disciples and the seventy others, He appointed them for a task and sent them out two by two. He kept the model in His personal ministry as well. He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Mark 5.37 After six days, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John His brother and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. Matthew 17.1 Jesus and three others making two groups of two. Jesus did things in groups of two or in larger groups divisible by two. Was that why Jesus had twelve disciples? I mean, first off, Judas wasn't in it in His heart so it would have been Jesus and eleven faithful groups of two. Secondly, after Jesus went to heaven, there was appointed one to take Judas' place leaving again a perfect group of pairs of two. Interesting, right? Regardless, we as modern believers are held to the same model of pairs. Again, assuredly I tell you that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask it will be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18.19 Now that is a powerful statement. That shows the strength of blending two together. It isn't just the power of agreement. It is also the power of checks and balances. James warns us in his letter that you ask and don't receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4.3 If two together are gathered and are seeking the Lord's will it is much more likely that they will not be selfish or wrong in their motives since both will be individually praying as well as corporately. They can stop one another and talk things out, check their motives, seek Scripture on it, compare notes about what the Spirit is telling them, keep one from rowing off in a crazy direction. We're given to each other to help each other stay on the path even as the Holy Spirit also directs us to stay on the path. We're to work together for edification of ourselves and each other and all of the church around us. Ephesians 4.12 No one likes to stand alone. The Lord in His wisdom is a loving Father, looks down on us and smiles. He knows that the enemy is camped in the valley beneath us. He knows we're outnumbered. He knows we're scared, that we don't like the idea of going up against them. So He fondly points to someone else and says, go with them and suddenly we think maybe that we can. We have someone to physically hang on to. We have someone to talk to, to build up even as we are built up, to encourage each other. Do not despise the ministry of encouragement. Encouragement got Saul into the church where he became Paul and a mighty instrument of God. Acts 9.26-29 Encouragement got Gideon down into that camp to hear the dream of a heathen prophetically describing Gideon's victory over this much greater military force. Judges 7.13-15 Encouragement can keep us going when we think maybe we hurt God wrong or made a mistake. Encouragement can keep us blowing the coals of our call from God. Encouragement can keep our dream that God gave us alive until its fulfillment. If there's one thing that we as a church can never get enough of, it is encouragement. The world is all about taking you down, telling you that you're not enough, that your dream is foolish, that it cannot be done. The church should be the opposite. Since in Jesus and with the Father all things are possible, then why not let ourselves dream the big impossible dreams that God lays on our hearts? Why not gain confidence from each other that we in fact do serve an impossible God, that in fact He can do things that we cannot see the end of, that in fact we as His instruments can build that building, claim that healing, expand our facility, buy that house, rent that car, have that child, eat the next meal, and anything else that the world is screaming at you that you cannot do. It is hard to believe that your empty cupboards are going to be having something in them. It is hard to believe that the finances are going to come through. It is hard to believe that you are going to make it through the storm that is tossing you about. But with someone beside you, holding your hand, looking you in the eye with confidence, it is easier. Easier to say, Yes, Jesus told me this was mine. Easier to say, Yes, Jesus has a way. Let's find out from Him what we are to do. Yes, Jesus can do it. Let's give Him the opportunity to lead us. A companion in ministry is one of the best things that you can have. They can help get you on your knees regularly to see God. They are there to encourage you to check in with Jesus, to see where and how the Spirit is leading you. But it is a greater gift for that person to encourage you in what you have already received. To help you through the test the enemy has devised to convince you that you did not hear from the Lord. That you did a you thing, and not a God thing. That it was a good idea, but not a God idea. That you caused all these problems, and they are evidence that you missed it. A companion in encouragement can help you through all that. A companion can also warn you of when you are getting too big for your Bible. That you are stepping out on your own and not in the Lord. That the Spirit is yes, telling you no. They can help keep your ego in check. To diminish ourselves in the limelight, so that we can shine it on Jesus. It is notable that as soon as Jesus had been baptized and anointed, the enemy came to defeat him. Jesus passed with flying colors, but then Jesus immediately got himself disciples. Companions. Men of different ages and backgrounds. Different personalities to blend with his own, and give him a firm footing. We think of the disciples as being led around like sheep, but sheep are loyal and social. Jesus had them to look to when he felt the pricks of ego. He had them to look to when the crowds were clamoring to make him a Messiah of their own mold. Jesus had them to commune with, fellowship with, and be human with. Jesus was led by the Spirit, but supported by his friends. Jesus had a spiritual path that was very much alone, but he chose to tread it with friends beside him. Even at his worst moments, John and Peter were following him. Even on the cross, disciples and followers were there. Everywhere in Jesus' earthly life, he had supportive people journeying with him. He had trials alone, yes, but there were always people to see him into them, and help him rest after them. The Lord knows that it is not good for a human being to be alone. The Lord designed us for fellowship. Checks and balances. People around us to question our thoughts, words, deeds, and feelings, if we will share them. There are always times of personal growth, personal reflection, and private revelation, but there is also great benefit to walking with a companion, both in private relationship and in public fellowship, in ministry and business, in hobby and work. People are designed to rely on other people to get from point A to point Z, arm in arm, hand in hand. Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, and to another workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of Spirits, to another different kinds of languages, and to another the interpretation of languages. But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires, for as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, and were all given to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12, 4-13 This is why we are not to forsake the gathering together with like-minded believers in Jesus. Hebrews 10, 24-25 This is why we are to encourage each other. 1 Thessalonians 5-11 This is why we are to pray for one another. Ephesians 6-18 Together we are greater than the sum of our parts. Romans 12, 3-8 Let's help each other not to stumble. Let's pick each other up when we fall. Let's be known as the people who love one another, the people who endure together, the people who bless everyone else, the people who support each other, the people who challenge each other, the people who correct each other, the people who build up each other. Let's be people of love, even as Jesus loves us. Let's go together into that camp and hear the word of the Lord. Let's go up together against what is arrayed against us and see what the Lord does. Let's follow the call. Walk in His dreams for us. Let's be more than we can be alone. Let's be all we can be together in Jesus, so that He can be our all in all. Amen. Our daily affirmation of God's love is Joshua 1-5 This was a promise to a man who had lost everything. He'd left the only home he had ever known. He'd followed a mentor and a master through trials and tribulations. He had fought wars under the guidance of a prophet, defending his people and fulfilling the will of Yahweh Most High. And now here he was, alone, head of a stubborn people, in charge of leading them into something they had been promised for hundreds of years, stepping in the shoes of a prophet and man of God who would not be equaled until Jesus came bodily to the earth. No pressure, right? If anyone on this planet had ever needed a friend, companion, co-conspirator, counselor, and partner, it was Joshua. The closest thing he had was Caleb, the other Israelite who had said they could take the promised land because God said they could. Numbers 13-14. But the Word doesn't show that they were particularly close. Joshua needed to feel that he wasn't standing alone. God met him right there. God told him that he was not alone, that he would never be alone, that God would be with him every step of the way. Joshua got reiterated to him all the promises that God had for the people. God encouraged Joshua that he was going to be the one to lead them in. But God also let him know he had responsibilities. Verse 7. In verse 8, God says, That's some statement. But there is more in verse 9. Follow the Lord's Word to be prosperous and successful. Don't let it leave your ears and eyes. And then don't let yourself be afraid or dismayed because God is with you. Don't let yourself. If you're in the Word every day to meet Jesus, if you're in the Word every day to be fed by the Spirit in your spirit, if you're looking every day to inform your thoughts, words, and deeds by what you find in the Word, if you're using it as a tool to remind yourself that God is right there beside you, then you can choose not to be afraid or dismayed. You can choose not to be anxious, stressed, or depressed. If you are in the presence of the Lord and the presence of the Lord is beside you, regardless of how you feel, then you can choose to rely on that. If you do rely on that, then how can you fear? How can you be anxious? How can you be depressed? Those are feelings that can be superseded by facts. And if the fact is that God is for you, then who or what can succeed against you? Nothing and no one. Jesus overcame the world, not just part of it. The world and all that is in it. That's who has your hand. That's who is beside you. That's who you were covenanted with. That is your God, your Lord, your Savior, and your groom. He will not fail you. He will not forsake you. He will not forget you. He is with you. Choose not to be afraid. As we close, remember that you have worth. You are precious and valuable. Declare this. Today, God loves that I, now you, fill in the blank. Was it a meal you made? A smile you gave? Did you get out of bed? Read? Did you get out of bed? Read? Put on socks? There's no wrong answers here. There is no end to God's love. And no end to the things about you that he loves each and every day. Pick one. And remember, the Lord loves you just because you're you. 1 John 4, 9-10 tells us, By this, God's love was revealed in us, that God has sent his only-born Son into the world, that we might live through him. And this is love. Not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. His perfect love turned away God's wrath because of sin. And it casts out our fear too. See verses 18 and 19. We love because he first loved us. He just loved us. Can't get enough of us. And that is wonderful. See you next time.