The guidance of a self-help teacher can inspire us and fill us with hope, to the point of making us feel important. However, it certainly cannot do more than that, as its "power" is limited. In a moment of prayer with Jesus, in which we speak of what He has revealed to us and what we hope for — including asking for forgiveness for our sins — the confidence to use His Name and rebuke any evil comes, in order to be freed.

Peter, upon noticing that Jesus was approaching with a basin of water and a towel over His shoulders, felt his condition as a sinner and, uneasy, asked if the Master was going to wash his feet. When he heard the positive answer, Peter reacted impulsively and questioned, along with his fellow disciples, the Savior's action. However, Christ, with incomparable simplicity, spoke to him very slowly and in a gentle voice: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Thus, Peter calmed down for his own benefit!

In Heaven, we will know everything the Father has done for us, of which we had no idea, and even less how the Lord destroyed the satanic bonds. He does not allow the devil to touch us, because His Word says: The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them (Psalm 34:7). It does great good to fear the Most High and trust in Him. God protects us!

Jesus did not immediately reveal to Peter the reason for that act, but assured him that he would come to understand it later and would glorify Him. It is easy to be blessed every second, and nothing bad will happen to us as long as we keep our faith in the Lord. God is beautiful! He places His army around us and assures us that no evil will befall us nor any plague will come near our tent (Psalm 91:10).

An example of this occurred with Hezekiah, king of Judah, servant of the Almighty. He suffered attacks from Sennacherib, the feared king of Assyria who besieged Jerusalem, demanding its surrender. Faced with this, Hezekiah asked the prophet Isaiah to help him, and here is the response: “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it‘ (2 Kings 19:32). It's over!

Do you know what happened? That night, God sent an angel who annihilated the Assyrian army, taking the lives of 185,000 of their best soldiers: And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead (2 Kings 19.35). Hezekiah did not know at the time what God would do, but later, he celebrated the victory in Jerusalem.

Think positively. Maybe you have no idea what the Father will do in your favor, but know this: whoever joins to destroy your life will be shamed and annihilated. In the Lord, there is no hesitation, but rather goodwill toward those who want to leave sin and convert to live forever by His side. Obey the divine commandments and you will be loved by God. Be strong and steadfast!

           In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares