". . . I will trust, and not be afraid: . . ."

The prospect of "letting go and letting God" can bring fear to us. We have trusted for so long in our own grasp on God that the experience of "letting go" and allowing the Lord to work His works in us causes us to be afraid. We are afraid to trust that the Lord is redeeming us according to His own foreknowledge and will, that it is God's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.

If we would move past the "waters to the ankles" into "waters to swim in," we must be willing to follow the Lord wherever He leads.

And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. (Ezekiel 47:3-5)

We move along prayerfully, watchfully, observing the results of what is taking place in us. The wisdom from above always is pure, always peaceful, always full of good fruit. Whenever we feel pushed, fearful, driven, that is not the Lord, ordinarily. The Lord's ways are joyous, full of love and hope. This is not to say there are not seasons when we are tested to the limit.

". . . for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; . . ."

The darkness is coming during which no man can work. It is at the doors. Christian works and institutions of all kinds will crumble under the spiritual darkness and oppression that will shake the earth in the near future.

God has made special provision for His elect that will enable them not only to stand throughout the great tribulation but also to finally overcome the darkness. This special provision is the personal spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles.

God will enter His people and be their strength and their song. Neither Satan nor Antichrist nor the False Prophet can stand before God in His people.

The world and the fleshly churches will be deceived and overcome by the forces of Hell. But the believers in whom the Father and the Son are dwelling will be able to persevere throughout all calamities. God working through them will crush Satan under their feet (Romans 16:20).

It will not be the saints who are persevering and finally overcoming Satan, it will be God who, through Christ, is dwelling in them. The victorious believers will sing and dance on the heights of Zion while the world is drowning in the flood of filth that will issue from Satan.

To be continued.