Fear Not
Genesis 15:1
2-8-09
Gen 15:1 “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’”
Have you ever taken a bold step of faith; then suddenly thought, “What have I done?”
That’s where Abraham is in this verse. The text begins with three words, “After these things....”
A lot has happened in the previous chapter. An army of four powerful kings have attacked and conquered Sodom and her allies. The city was plundered and in the process Abraham’s nephew, Lot was taken captive.
When Abraham heard about it, he went after those 4 kings with only 318 men. It was a courageous act of faith. Abraham caught that army by surprise, defeated it, and rescued Lot.
In the natural, it was a crazy, impossible risk. By faith, Abraham had accomplished the impossible. We read those two words over and over in Hebrews 11: “by faith.” That’s how things get done in the kingdom of God. That’s how 318 men defeat a 4-king army. “Without faith it’s impossible to please God.” The rule of the kingdom is “be it unto you according to your faith.” Israel crossed the Jordon, by faith. David conquered Goliath, by faith. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, by faith. Abraham’s faith was bold and strong when he attacked those four kings.
The King of Sodom tried to give Abraham all the spoils. But again, Abraham acted in faith. He turned down the easy money. He trusted God to take care of his financial future.
Abraham has done all the right things in chapter 14. He has passed every test thrown at him.
What happens next? “After these things” Abraham panics. A sick feeling hits the pit of his stomach. “What have I done? I have alienated four powerful kings. I caught them by surprise, and overcame them. But they’re not going to leave it there. They’re going to be furious. They’re going to be back.
Abraham lays his head on his pillow and starts thinking it over. “I’m in big, big trouble. What am I going to do?” I know that feeling. I know what it’s like to step out and do something beyond myself and trust God with the results. And then start second guessing myself. “What have I done? Did I really hear the Lord or was I just being presumptuous?” How many know what I’m taking about? It’s possible to feel full of faith one moment, and the next be in a state of panic. Circumstances haven’t changed; but my thinking has.
What do you need more than anything else at a time like that? Look at our text closely and see it there. Gen 15:1 “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram....” Logic and reasoning would not have pulled Abraham out of his despondent state. Human logic would say, “You idiot, why did you make those four kings mad. Don’t you know they’re going to come back and wipe you off the face of the earth? You’re 318 men are no match for that army when they come back on their own terms.”
But God gave Abraham what he needed. “...the word of the LORD came....” Maybe that’s what somebody here needs today, the word of the Lord. A sermon is not enough. You need God to tell you it’s going to be OK.
The word of the Lord can come to us in many ways. In this situation, it came in a vision. I still believe in supernatural dreams and visions; don’t you? I have had a few dreams and visions that we’re powerful events in my life. Joel 2:28,
"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). God’s still doing that in these last days.
Sometimes God speaks to us through a sermon or while we’re reading the Bible. I’ve never had God speak to me audibly but I’ve known people who have. Most of the time, God speaks in our spirit. We have a strong inner sense that God is communicating to us Spirit to spirit.
How the word of the Lord comes to us is not so important. What’s important is that it comes. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Abraham was in desperate need of a word from God—and God gave it to him.
What was God’s word to Abraham?
“Do not be afraid....” I like the old King James version, “Fear not....” Is anyone here in a state of fear? The word of the Lord to you is “Fear not....” Do you feel like nothin’s gonna turn out? “Fear not....”
Friday, I woke up in the middle of the night in a state of panic. Every negative scenario imaginable was racing through my mind. Every step of faith I had taken seemed like stupidity rather man than obedience to God. Remember Chicken Little who thought the sky was falling; it felt like the sky was about to fall and it was falling on me. I had to spend some time in prayer to just get my wits about me again.
Fear is a tormenting emotional state. One thing that will make heaven such a wonderful place is the total absence of fear. Perfect love casts out fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” 2 Tim 1:7. Tormenting fear is one of the devil’s favorite tactics. Sometimes it comes at us like a roaring lion. Sometimes there are those feelings of panic. But just as damaging is the more subtle form of fear that we call worry. Jesus told us not to worry about even the basic things of life like food and shelter. Worry never accomplished one thing except to wear you out. How many know what I’m talking about. Phil 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Living Bible begins verse 6 this way, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything....” Have you how easy it is to substitute worry for prayer? Make a decision that every time you catch yourself worrying, you will start praying. You will start thanking God for His faithfulness. You will make your requests known to God in prayer. You will cast your care on Him knowing that He cares for you.
That’s a good antidote to worry.
It’s an inspiring exercise to just look at all the times in the Bible when God tells His people to not fear. In Ex 14:13 Israel looked up and saw Pharaoh’s army charging at them. The Red Sea was at their back and they had no place to run. Remember what Moses said to them. “Do not fear! Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord....” The kind of miracle those people saw did not come in a comfortable living room lying on the couch. Miracles happen in the midst of crisis. People get miracles who need miracles. God Himself had led Israel in between that proverbial rock and hard place. God had positioned them between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army so He could show Himself strong in their behalf. My dear friend, you may be one breath away from the greatest miracle of your life. It’s often darkest right before daybreak. You may be right on the verge of breakthrough. Don’t discount God in your situation.
As Joshua was about to lead Israel into the Promise Land, the word of the Lord to him was “Fear not....” Why did God say that to Joshua? He said it for the same reason he is saying to Abraham in our text. There are times in our lives when we need those words. There are times when we need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness. Franklin Roosevelt had some good insight when he told America, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Fear is very often the first obstacle we have to go over in our journey of faith.
Back in our text,
God gave Abraham the best reason in the world not to fear. Look at Gen. 15:1 again and read those blessed words of assurance.
“I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward....”
Notice, God does not say I’ll give you a shield or I’ll give you a reward. He says something far more precious: I am ....”
Abraham was facing two fears. One was the likelihood that those kings would counter attack. How would he defend himself against the attack? I don’t think Abraham was just concerned about himself. He was concerned about his family. He was concerned for those 318 men and their families. He felt the load of that responsibility. God was saying to Abraham, “I will take care of that army; don’t worry about it.” And we never hear of them again. They don’t counter attack for whatever reason. God can shield you from the wrath of your enemies. He doesn’t always do it by frying them with a blaze of fire. In fact, that’s not His preference at all. God is longing to turn that enemy’s heart. God prefers to soften the heart and melt it with His love. But we have to know that God is just exactly the kind of shield we need. We have to remember that He will be our defense when we need defending.
The other fear was the fear of poverty or should I simply say the fear of not having enough. Does anybody know what I’m talking about during these times of financial crisis? Fear dominates the minds of men and women in our society today. You can almost cut it with a knife. It is a big part of our economic problem. Everybody’s afraid they won’t have enough. There is value in common sense and prudence. But I’m talking about a spirit of fear that is running to and fro throughout the land. God has not given us that spirit of fear and anxiety.
Abraham has turned down what some people would call the opportunity of a lifetime. The King of Sodom has offered to him financial security. The last few verses in Gen. 14 talk about the interaction between Abraham and the King of Sodom. The King tells Abraham to take all the spoil, all the wealth. And Abraham says no because he does not want the King of Sodom to take credit for making him wealthy. God has told Abraham He would take care of him. Abraham believes God will do that without Sodom’s riches.
Have you ever turned down an opportunity and then start second guessing yourself on that decision? After all “the spoils go to the victor.” That wealth Sodom’s king offered Abraham was rightfully Abraham’s. Maybe he was rejecting the way God wanted to provide for him. Maybe he was being a bit too pious. You know what happens when we second guess our decisions. Did I really hear the Lord when I turned down that offer?
Now God is not just saying I’ll give you financial security. God is not just saying you’re going to make it. God is saying, “You will overflow with blessing.” The highest superlative is used. “I am... your exceedingly great reward.” “You’re not only going to be blessed; but you’re gong to be a blessing to others. Can you wrap your mind around that for your own life this morning? Come out of the limited box of survival. Let God overflow you with blessing.
I believe some of us children of Abraham who are here today need to hear a word from the Lord like Abraham did. We need those two words “fear not.” We need to get that down in our hearts. We need to know who God is. He is our shield; He is our exceeding great reward.
Many years ago I walked down an aisle in a little church made out of an old army barrack. I can still hear the wooden planks creeks in the floor as I took that long journey. That day I met my Master. That day everything changed. Since that day my Master has always taken care of me and always will. Is Jesus your Master? If He is, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If you have not met Him, I would count it a privilege to introduce you to Him today. He can take care of you regardless of what’s going on in the economic system.
I want to close by reading the words of an old song entitled “Then I Met the Master.” This song is a good reminder of the dramatic difference it makes to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Verse one says:
Like a babe when it cries for it’s mother,
Like a child, I was helpless, alone;
Then I met the Master,
And now I am one of his own.
For all things were changed when he found me,
A new day broke through all around me;
When I met the Master,
Now I, I belong to him.
Like a blind man who walks in the darkness,
I had longed, I had searched for the light;
Then I met the Master,
Now I walk no more in the night.
For all things were changed when he found me,
His love now shines all around me;
For I met the Master,
Now I, I belong to him.
For I met the Master,
And now I belong to him.
Do you belong to Him? Is He your shield and exceeding great reward? If so, trust Him to take care of you. If you’re not sure about your relationship with God, now is the time to make sure. Now is the time to ask Him to come into your life and change you and be Lord of all. I want to give opportunity to anyone wanting to do that—to pray right now and get everything right with Jesus.
I want anyone who chooses to to pray this prayer with me right now.
Dear Jesus,
I don’t want to be my own master. I want you to take charge of my life. I ask you to forgive me for my sins. I ask you to forgive me for going my own way. I surrender my life to you, right now. I receive your forgiveness. I receive your love. I receive you as my Lord and Master.
www.GatewayNixa.org
Richard Tow
Gateway Foursquare Church
Nixa, Missouri
