We read in Genesis 15:1, Later the LORD spoke his word to Abram in a vision. He said, "Abram, don't be afraid. I am your shield. Your reward will be very great." (GW)
God knows our name
There were certain events that transpired in Abram’s life that left him with a sense of fear and confusion. This was when God called Abram by name, and spoke to him the above mentioned words of assurance. When we consider the fact that the Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth, comes to speak to one individual man like Abram, it helps us realize how merciful and gracious God is.
Most of us may have gone through seasons, when events that happened around us create within us a sense of fear and anxiety. Though there are millions of people on this earth, the Lord knows each one of us by name. The truth that God knows us by name should give us much confidence and boldness. For instance, let us say our circumstances in life, led us to meet a prominent person. Let us suppose that we made a call to that person one day, and immediately that eminent person recognized our voice and referred to us by our name. I am sure that we would most certainly be overjoyed at the fact that he remembered us by name. What should give us far greater elation, is the comforting thought that the God who created us, knows us and has called us by name. Many are unable to believe and accept this fact that God knows us so personally. When our details are in a computer’s database, just with a fingerprint scanner our details can be brought on the screen, just like that. If human technology has advanced to such an extent, how much more knowledgeable is the God who created each one of us.
Not only does God know our name, He also knows who we are, and every detail of our lives. There are those who wonder if there is anyone who really cares about them. Many are feeling lonely, and have this sense that there is no one who understands or is concerned about their circumstances. Remember that Satan often instigates you with this lie to make you forget that there is a God who truly loves and cares about you. God knows everything about you, and is mindful of all that you are going through. Some people have stopped doing good for others, only because someone paid them back evil, for the good that they had done. They have come to a place of not wanting to trust other people, and have hardened their hearts to not feel for others. This should not be so, but we should continue to do good, being assured that the all-knowing God is aware of every little detail of our lives and He will duly reward us.
God knows every detail of our lives
John Chapter 1 talks about Philip who went to Nathaniel, and told him that they had found Jesus of Nazareth. As Nathaniel approached Jesus, these were the words of Jesus to him in
John 1:47, When Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, he said about him, "Here is a real Israelite; there is nothing false in him!" (GNB) This was the testimony of Jesus about Nathaniel.
Here’s the reply of Nathaniel in John 1:48, Nathanael asked him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you when you were under the fig tree before Philip called you." (GNB)
Jesus revealed to Nathaniel that He was even aware of the fact that he was under a fig tree before Philip called him. Nathaniel was astounded to know that Jesus knew every single detail about his life within and without.
There is a doubt in the hearts of many and they wonder if God knows anything about them and what they are going through. The encounter that Jesus had with Nathaniel reminds us that we have a God who knows every intrinsic detail about our lives. The world is going through a time of utter confusion, and if there is someone who can give us confidence, it is God alone. If we do not hold firmly to Him during these tumultuous days, there will be no one who can help us in any way.
God even knows our thoughts
The Psalmist says it this way in Psalm 139:1-2, “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (ESV)
David declared that God is one who searches our deepest parts, and knows us for who we truly are. He goes on further to say, the Lord also knows intimate details like when he sits down, when he rises up, and also can discern his inmost thoughts, which might be hidden to others.
Remember that you are not alone. If you believe and trust in the Lord, put you faith in Him, you will experience His divine presence, protection and counsel. If you are speculating if the Lord is aware of the difficult path you are treading in right now, be assured that the Lord knows everything you are going through, all of your frustrations, heartaches and fears.
David says in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”(ESV)
David was so confident in the Lord that he could say with boldness that even if he were to pass through death like situations, where there seems to be no ray of hope, and everything was dark, he would still fear no evil, because God was with him.
The best tool in the hands of Satan to discourage the children of God is fear. There is a fear of death that has gripped many as the future seems uncertain. There are many parents who are anxious and worried about the future of their children. Both fear and worry are the enemy’s ploys to dissuade us so that we lose our faith and courage to go on. We are talking about a God who knows our name, every detail of our lives, our every thought, and with Him on our side there is no need to fear.
Two things Abram feared
The words of the Lord to Abram in Genesis 15:1 was ‘Do not be afraid.’ Abram was worried about two things at this particular time. Firstly, his nephew Lot had settled in the land of Sodom and this city was invaded by foreign kings who took captive many of the residents of Sodom. Among them was Abram’s nephew Lot and his family. When this news reached Abram, he took his servants along with him and fought the kings, conquered them and brought back Lot and everything that belonged to him, because God was with him. Abram was living like a nomad in tents, and he was therefore filled with apprehension if the kings whom he confronted and defeated would come back to take revenge on him.
The second fear that Abram had was the fact that he had no child. God had promised to make him a great nation, that they would be blessed and that he would make Abram’s name great. However, this seemed an impossibility as Abram was well advanced in years, his wife Sarai was barren, and it appeared that God’s promise would never be fulfilled. It seemed to Abram that as the promise got delayed in being fulfilled, that there was no way he could see it being accomplished in his life time.
For those who are filled with any sort of fear, this is the word of encouragement from the Lord, that there is no need to be afraid. Many times when we focus on the things that are lacking in our lives, we too get discouraged and fearful. God has given to man the ability to imagine and if we use this well it will benefit us, or if used otherwise it will weaken us. If we meditate on the word of God, and his promises daily, this will increase our faith, and we will remain firm no matter what happens around us. On the other hand, if we use our mind and imaginations to dwell on all the evil that is happening around us and get anxious, this will certainly lead to our hearts being filled with fear. These are day when every message and news that we hear, tends to create a sense of anxiety and dread in our hearts. For such a time as this, God’s word comes to admonish us that we should not be afraid, but learn to put our trust in Him.
The reason Abram did not need to fear
Here’s the assurance God gave Abram in Genesis 15:1, Later the LORD spoke his word to Abram in a vision. He said, "Abram, don't be afraid. I am your shield. Your reward will be very great." (GW)
God told Abram that he did not need to fear because, God was his shield, which meant that no one or nothing could harm Abram, because God was His security.
Even when we are faced with fears, let us be reminded that God is our shield, which means that nothing can come to harm us without His permission. God is our shield implies that He is our total security. When we allow fears to take over, it causes some sort of agitation inside of us. Instead, if we allow the Lord to take over, He will certainly calm all of our fears and grant us His peace.
Elisha’s servant feared
Elisha was a prophet of God in Israel. The King of Syria was making war against the King of Israel and every time he made secretive plans to attack the King of Israel, these plans were revealed to the King of Israel through Elisha. However, the King of Syria could not comprehend as to how these hushed plans that he prepared in his private chambers, were made known to the King of Israel. The King of Syria began to suspect that one of his own men who were with him was a traitor. It was at this time that one of his servants made known to the King of Syria the truth that every plot that was made in the king’s bedroom, was revealed by God to Elisha the prophet in Israel, who promptly informed the king of Israel.
The King of Syria therefore made plans to capture Elisha, who he decided was responsible for his plans being thwarted. He sent his troops to besiege the city and capture the prophet of God. When Elisha’s servant woke up the next morning to look out this is what he saw.
We read in 2 Kings 6:15, When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" (ESV)
What Elisha’s servant saw astounded him as he saw that the entire city was surrounded by the horses and chariots of the Syrian army. Immediately the servant of Elisha cried out to his master in desperation. This is what the servant told his master, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" because he imagined that death was now at their door step, and there was no way to escape.
Every morning when we open the newspapers and observe things that are happening outside our homes, it fills our hearts with a sense of dismay and apprehension. Oftentimes like Elisha’s servant we too get discouraged, we murmur, and cry out in utter hopelessness. Let me remind you that our date of birth, and the date of death are all ordained by God. Since God is in control of these things nothing will happen to us before God’s stipulated time, and no harm or even death will befall us without His consent. If we do not comprehend this amazing thought we will most assuredly be filled with every kind of panic and dread.
Elisha’s word of assurance
When the servant of Elisha informed him about the encirclement, this was the reply of the prophet of God.
We read in 2 Kings 6:16, He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (ESV)
The first words of assurance that came out of Elisha’s mouth to his fearful servant were “Do not be afraid.” What was even more overwhelming to the servant of Elisha was when the prophet informed him that the ones who were with them were more than those who were with the Syrian army.
A believer is one who puts his faith in God and sees everything through those eyes of faith. Those who do not believe do not have an understanding of who this Almighty God is, the creator of heaven and earth, and so they can see things only with their physical eyes. When they do so, the things that are happening around them will most certainly fill their hearts with much fear. Contrarily, the ones who perceive things with eyes of faith, will have their hearts established by the word of God, and will have no room for fear.
The servant’s eyes were opened
Elisha, wanted his servant to be rid of his fears, and so Elisha prayed to God that the eyes of his servant be opened. This is what happened when Elisha prayed this way.
We read in 2 Kings 6:17, Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (ESV)
This was what the young servant of Elisha beheld that day. The mountains were surrounded by multitudes of horses and chariots of fire, sent by God to protect His servant Elisha. If the Syrian army had to succeed, they would first have to conquer the armies of God, which clearly was an impossibility.
It is time we too asked God to open our eyes of faith. Only when we view things with the eyes of faith, can we perceive God’s hand that provides us with security, protection and every blessing we need. If we believe in the Lord and put our total faith in Him, we too will come under this divine security of the Almighty God.
Look at the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Daniel and Esther in the bible, all of whom encountered many difficulties and challenges. All of them trusted in the Lord and the Lord delivered them out of all their calamities and did not fail them for a moment. Sometimes God gave them a word of prophecy or a dream, sometimes God shut the mouth of wild animals, or even protected his children from the fiery flames. God used various methods to bring deliverance to those who put their faith in Him.
Abram’s reward
In Genesis 15:1, we read, Later the LORD spoke his word to Abram in a vision. He said, "Abram, don't be afraid. I am your shield. Your reward will be very great." (GW)
The Lord guaranteed Abram that there was a sure and great reward for his faith and obedience to God.
Let us keep in mind, that there is a sure reward for all those who put their faith in God, and choose to walk in obedience to Him just as Abram did.
The reward Ruth received
We read in Ruth 2:12, The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" (ESV)
Ruth was from the land of Moab where the culture and beliefs were different to those of the people of Israel. However, when Ruth trusted in the living God, creator of heaven and earth, and decided to go with her mother in law Naomi to the land of Israel, the reward that she received from the Lord was exceptional. She had the honor and blessing of becoming the great grandmother of King David.
Irrespective of who you are or where you are at this time, if there is any sort of fear that is disturbing you, I pray that you will feel the mighty presence of God giving you courage, strengthening your faith, and helping you be rid of all your fears. Find refuge in God who is your shield, and you will certainly be freed from all your fears, and God will reward you bounteously.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
