One of God’s staple, primary commands to His followers is simply: “Do not fear.”
It is interesting but did you know that the phrase: “Do not fear or Fear not” occurs over 300 times in the Bible and in some translations it actually occurs 365 times—some say 1 for every day of the year.
Here’s the facts: Fears are real and natural. Fears may leave us unsettled, insecure, doubting our sanity and self-worth, having sleep problems or health problems, worrying about tomorrow or even wondering if there will be a tomorrow.
The issue we want settled is simple – “How do we avoid fear when I can? How do I address fear when it comes? What can we learn from its reality?
God promises to comfort us in our fear if we seek him when we are afraid. We have the confident assurance that he is with us in any circumstance.
Psalm 46: 1–2- “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”
When things are unfamiliar and uncomfortable we often sense the emotion of fear. It creeps up on us. As a matter of fact, for some of us, when things get all jacked up in our lives our default setting is fear and discouragement.
If that’s like you, you are like Abraham. Isn’t it interesting that God called a fearful man to be the Father of Faith?
God didn’t call Abraham to be the Father of Faith because He was a spiritual giant; quiet to contrary, He called Him because He was human, yet willing to be molded, melted, and changed.
Are you? Are you willing to let God get all up in your life and create something new? God does this by simply being God. He changes our fear to faith by helping us accept things about Him that we struggle to accept.
Today, I want you to accept some things about God that will turn your life upside down and push the delete button on your fears.
Transitional Sentence: What do we have to accept “about God” that deletes our fears?
I. God is Not Just Leading us; He is Sovereignly Lord Over Us
vs. 9-10- “Then Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.10 Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a time, because the famine was severe in the land. 11 It came about, when he [h]was approaching Egypt, that he said to his wife Sarai, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well for me because of you, and that ]I may live on account of you.”
Explanation:
Abram does not come out of the box as a man of faith. As studied before, God called Abram when He was in the land of Ur and told him to “Go forth from your country, and to leave your relatives, and ...your fathers house...” Genesis 12: 1
Yet, according to Genesis 11: 31, it appears that Abram did not do what God said. Instead of leaving his relatives and father, his Father led him out and went half-way to the Promised land and settled in Haran.
His earthly father was leading; not His heavenly Father.
Yet, in Genesis 11:32 the day came when Abram’s earthly father died, and Abram began to lead.
In verses 7-8, we get a GPS (God’s positioning system) report of where Abram went after the Lord appeared to Abram. Verse 8 says that he: “...preceded from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east...”
At this point we read that “He built and altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the Lord.”
Abram was praying and walking. The Spirit was leading and Abram was following. It seemed that Abram was finally “in gear” on the “right track” --- he was walking by faith and according to verse 9: “Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.”
Yet, verse 10 happens. The Bible says: “Now there was a famine in the land...”
Can you imagine what this was like for Abram? God had promised to take to a new land. God promised to bless Him. Look at verse 2-3. God says: “I will bless you.” I will make you a blessing.”
Now in the midst of these promises of blessing, comes what seems to be several curses:
a) There was a famine in the land- Can you imagine what this was like? Abram expected to
arrive in Canaan and be showered with blessings. He was going into the land of promise and
provision. It would the land that would be later known as the land of milk and honey; and
instead of milk and honey; it was a land of drought and death.
b) There were Canaanites in the land- In verse 6, we read: “Abram passed through the land as
far as the site in Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land.”
Can you imagine this? It’s like God telling you that He has a nice house and property in Key West and you show up and all the grocery stores are closed permanently and there’s no food to eat, and a guy double your size with an angry look on his face blocking the door of entry.
Would you be surprised? Upset? Maybe even angry?
Have you ever known someone who became a Christian and became disappointed with God? Perhaps someone who was following God’s will and it seemed that God led them off a cliff?
If so, join Abram. He was following God’s leading and had to feel like he was losing. Have you ever asked God why he allows bad things to happen to good people? Do you ever wish you could read the mind of God?
Illustration: Women have a mind reading gene mutation
Have you ever wondered how your wife seems to be able to read your mind?
A new study published in the Journal of Molecular Psychiatry has reported:
“Women are more likely to have a 'mind-reading' gene mutation that gives them the ability to read a person's thoughts and emotions by looking at their eyes ...
The scientists found that the genetic variants on chromosome 3 in women are associated with their ability to read the mind in the eyes — known as cognitive empathy ...
The scientists who did the study said: “If our study is true, perhaps men ought to start buying mirrored sunglasses.” ?
Application:
Sometimes when it comes to what God is doing in our life, God seems to be wearing mirrored sunglasses. When we try to understand what He’s got in mind through our famines and struggles it seems like we are just looking into a mirror, and can only see what’s happening to us, instead of seeing what God is doing with us.
Let’s face it, when we don’t understand, it often results in fear and frustration. We ask God a lot of questions that usually begin with the word “why?”
Yet, in the midst of our struggle when God seems to not answer our questions, He makes a statement about Himself. He reminds us that He is sovereign, in control, and trustable.
Throughout the Bible God reassures us over and over with verses like this:
1. Romans 8:28- “ And we know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
2. Matthew 10:29- “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows?”
Sparrows were customarily thought of as the smallest of birds, and the penny was one of the least valuable coin in someone’s budget.
Therefore, God assures us that He is sovereign over even the most insignificant events. Since the heavenly Father gives constant sovereign supervision even to seemingly insignificant creatures, surely he will also care for us.
This is how God deals with the scarecrows in our life; He assures us of His sovereignty.
Transitional Sentence: What do we have to accept “about God” that deletes our fears?
II. God Is Not Only Looking Out for Us; He is Working Out Things for Us
vs. 14-17- “ Now it came about, when Abram entered Egypt, that the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and]he gave him sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.”
Explanation:
The Bible tells us that when Abram’s faith faltered, he went “down” to Egypt. This is not just true geographically; but it is true spiritually.
Egypt, in the Bible is never seen as a godly place. Later, it will be a place of slavery for God’s people. It will be a place of sadness, sorrow, and fear.
Yet, following his own mind and logic, Abram leaves Canaan and heads down to Egypt. Immediately, Abram checks out the culture and responds in fear and creates a narrative that he rehearses to Sarai om verses 11-13 as we read:
“It came about, when he [h]was approaching Egypt, that he said to his wife Sarai, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well for me because of you, and that ]I may live on account of you.”
You see, Egypt was a worldly place that was into beauty. They had a great love for beautiful women and Abram knew it. I’m sure he also was accustomed to men “rubbernecking” when they saw Sarai.
He knew he was married prettiest girl on the cheerleader squad. She’s easy on the eyes and Abram knew it, so instead of protecting her honor; he tries to protect himself so he said, “Please say that you are my sister.”
Listen: That’ll get you in a mess fast.
Illustration: Fowler/Fowler- She’s my sister
You may not know but my wife Jan has always been a Fowler.
That’s right: When I met Jan, I did not initially consider her as a dating or marriage prospect because my name is Perry Fowler and her name was Jan Fowler. Yes, Fowler was her maiden name.
Let me tell you our story: When I met her in college, I was a Senior and she was an entering Freshman. We became instant friends and since she had my same last name I thought it would be fun to tell everyone that she was my sister. (Yep, your Pastor lied)
I got a laugh out of people thinking she was my sister and as the months passed we became close friends until one night my college roommate (Cary Nettles) said: “Perry, do you know who the perfect girl for you is? Your sister!”
I laughed at the prospect of such but soon she started dating a guy and it bothered me. I could not figure out for my life why I was so disturbed that she was dating this guy. He was a nice guy. Nothing disturbing about him except he was dating the girl I called my sister.
Then, I finally prayed about it. No kidding. I asked God, “Why am I so bothered by her dating this guy?” Do you know what God did? He answered me and said: “Because that’s your wife!”
There’s a longer version of this story but let me tell you, when we started holding hands on campus, it really caused a stir. Yet, not only there, but when her Dad found out, he started researching their family heritage! I am not joking!
But you will be pleased to know that Ancestory.com does not have us as related, at least as far back as the 1600’s. Although both Fowler families immigrated from the same area in England, but the “Fowler’s” still lived 30 miles apart.
Today, I still laugh about that and simply say: “Jan and I have a marriage made in heaven, so much so that God put my last name on her before she was even born!” So there, you have it!
Application:
The fact is when I called her my sister, it was not completely a lie. She was and is my sister in Christ ( same Heavenly Father) ; but I assure you, we have different earthly Mom’s and Dad’s.
Yet, Abraham’s situation was even more complicated, Sarai was actually his half-sister, but was also his wife. (Genesis 20:12) – Same father; different mother.
It seems that as Abram approached Egypt, he got worried. He was worried about his own safety, instead of the safety of his wife. Instead of guarding the honor and chastity of his wife; he was reasoning like a man with no faith.
Proverbs 29:25 says: “The fear of man brings a snare.”
He risks the purity of his wife as the Pharaoh takes her and puts her in his harem. This not only risks her purity, but the seed of hope that God was going to provide in a Savior who would be known as “the seed of Abraham.”
Do you know what fear can do? It can drive you out of God’s will, and endanger those around you. Don’t take your sin lightly, it impacts more than you.
Yet, God was not only was not only looking out for Abram; He was working things out for Abram and Sarai. Therefore, in verse 17 read: “But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
By the way, this is not the last time God would strike Pharaoh and his family with plagues. When Moses would arrive, 10 plagues will come on Egypt, because God would look out, and work out things for his people.
How many times has God saved you from yourself? A country song once had these lyrics: “Thank God for unanswered prayers.” As someone said, “Hindsight is 20/20.”
Abram reminds us that we do better when we trust God with our lives instead of trying to figure it all out on our own. Leaning on our own understanding will not keep us standing; it will often put us flat on our face.
Transitional Sentence: What do we have to accept “about God” that deletes our fears?
III. God Not Only Forgives Us; but Joins Us In Our Fight Against Fear
vs. 20- “Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.”
Explanation:
This is actually a pretty embarrassing chapter in Abram’s life story. Yet, even more, can you imagine the conversations Sarai had with Abram after this? I’m sure they had some pretty candid come to Jesus meetings, right?
Yet, this is not the only embarrassing chapter in their story. Later, Sarai will invite Abram to father a child with her servant Hagar. If you were not accustomed to the story, you might say: “How on earth did God use these reprobates with no faith?” (Seriously!)
Yet, their story stands as a reminder of the depth of God’s forgiveness. These sins are no “oops” when it comes to our assessment of their decision making are they?
What if you knew someone like Abram and Sarai? What if you were Abram and Sarai? Would you feel worthy of being an example of faith? Would you hold your head high or go run and hide?
The beauty of this story is that God did not give up or give out on these two struggling folks who were walking through the valley of fear. God had plans to take them to the mountain top and He has plans to do the same in your life.
Do this: Tell God what you are afraid of and ask Him to help you.
Abram needed to return to his altar, not run away to Egypt. In verse 7 we see where Abram went wrong. He had built an altar in the Promised land, near the oak of Moreh, but instead of going to the altar with his fears; he ran to Egypt with them and it only generated more fears.
Yet, I love the way God works. God would not give up on Abram and Sarai. He sent a plague on Pharaoh and an escort out of Egypt for his servants as verse 20 says: “...and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.”
Do you know what I know about God? He doesn’t abandon “goof up’s.” He intervenes for them.
Don’t let your failures define you; give faith the opportunity to blossom. That was God’s attitude toward this two Patriarch’s and it’s His attitude toward you.
He will not only build your faith, if you will come to Him with your failures; but He will fight your fears with you as well.
God put Abram and Sarai back on the right road, headed back to the altar, which is where they should have gone in the first place.
Conclusion:
There’s an altar here today and believe it or not, it’s no accident that you are here and its only steps away. Without you even knowing it, God has brought you with the altar in sight, the next steps are now up to you.
Will you come and tell God about your fears? Will you ask Him to deliver you from them?
The Bible says: “I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
In Jesus God has given us victory over man’s greatest fear. Clinically it is called: “Thanatophobia.” The fear of death. Do you know how? He conquered death with His resurrection. Yet, because He lives, is with us in life, He’s in the fight, seeking to deliver us from all our fears.
