“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.” Psalm 46:1-2
Do not fear is a command in the bible that appears countless times.
Do not fear.
My team left Port Elizabeth, South Africa and went to Durbin, South Africa for a few days to meet with the rest of the squad (the group of people I left the States with). When we arrived in Durbin we needed a cab to take us (12 people and our packs) to the rest of our friends. We were told we should not pay anything over 300 Rand per car for the trip. When the local taxi drivers quoted us 1500 Rand for 3 cars. We told them that price was too high and we respectfully would find another way of transport. The 3 men with the taxis and HIGH quotes followed us to where we were waiting outside the bus station with our bags. They reduced the price to 1400 Rand but claimed that was the best they could do because the distance we were traveling was far. They told us no one would charge less than 1400 Rand. They wouldn’t leave us but were not trying to negotiate any farther. They stood around us talking to one another and looking over us and our things. Ariana and I began to pray. “Lord, we pray for protection. We pray for favor. We pray that we will get to our next location safely and within the budget we can afford.”
After some lengthy and uncomfortable time passed with the men looking over us and our things, they went back to their cabs.
With no internet and no phone numbers to local cab companies, a few of my teammates began to walk the streets in hopes to find another cab that could take us to our needed destination without taking advantage of us. I continued to pray for God’s favor. Approximately 30 minutes after the search began, my teammates returned with great news that a van that could fit us all was coming to get us in 20 minutes and we would be charged 800 Rand! YES!!! THANK YOU LORD!!!
With a grateful heart, I thanked God for His faithfulness.
When the van arrived, the driver came to meet us and told us to grab our bags and walk to the entrance of the bus station where he would drive the van around to load us up. As we walked, the 3 taxi drivers that were trying to take advantage of us and a couple more men followed us and positioned themselves at different points of the bus station entrance were the van was coming to pick us up. It was obvious they were guarding the entrance and we not planning on letting the van come pick us up.
The driver that was trying to pick us up was suddenly confronted by these other men and the atmosphere turned intense and aggressive. I wondered if this man that was trying to help us was going to be attacked. I wondered if we were ever going to get out of this bus station. Then I stopped wondering and began to pray intently.
“God! Meet us here in Jesus’ name! Bring your peace. Bring your presence now Lord. Get us out of here safely. Now Lord!”
After 5 minutes of yelling and arguing among the men, the aggressive men began to walk away back to their cabs. The driver of the van told us to get our bags and follow him to the van.
We made it to our destination safely and under budget.
Thank you God that you brought us a man that would fight for us. He didn’t take the easy route and walk away from us to avoid conflict. He fought for us and took us to safety.
Do not fear.
There is POWER in prayer. God is ready to show up and fight for YOU. Call out to Him and tell Him what you need. I am done trying to fight my own battles and crying out to God when I am exhausted and see I am losing. I am not fighting any more. I am handing my battles over to God, inviting Him to fight FOR me.
Do not fear.
God didn’t create you or me to sit in our homes afraid of everything and everyone around us. He created us for a purpose. For His purpose. He created us to bring Heaven to Earth. Do not fear and know that God is with you.
