Fear No Fear

After all these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
Genesis 15:1 (emphasis added)

This is the first ‘do not fear’ of the Word. Genesis 3:10 has our first ‘afraid’. It was Adam admitting they were afraid of the Lord finding them in their disobedient state. But it isn’t until chapter fifteen that we get told not to fear. At this point we’ve had murder, a world-wide flood, disobedient and mocking children, assaults, arrogant people, famine, and a war. We’ve even had a heathen leave his country and then also leave his father’s household and go on a journey into unknown territory at Yahweh’s urging. But not until here, after Abram had saved his nephew and the people of Sodom from invading kings; after Abram had tithed and been blessed by a priest of Yahweh, God Most High, did we get a command not to be afraid. We’re told not to be afraid because God is a shield and an exceedingly great reward.

A shield (as a verb) is protection from a danger, risk, or unpleasant experience. But in life we do have unpleasant experiences. We are sometimes at risk or in danger. Soldiers going into battle have carried shields. They were not guaranteed freedom from injury or unpleasant things. But the shield did give confidence because it offered protection within those circumstances. It was a tool which could alter the whole experience of the battle.

As a noun, a shield is used as protection against blows or missiles. It can also refer to the person or thing providing the protection. Taken together, this is a declaration by God that although we may be in danger, risk, or unpleasant circumstances, we will not be standing exposed to the world. We will be standing behind God. Who is our shield. Our Sovereign King. The One who protects in time of trouble. Jesus told us that there would be pressure (John 16:33).

How can we choose not to fear? Because the Lord’s strength doesn’t fail. His shield will not break. This is echoed in Psalm 84:11: “For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.” This is quite a promise and a very rich reward. There is a LOT in this world that is good. There is a lot more than you can imagine. And God wants it ALL for you. His Word says so again and again. He is our shield AND our reward.

Psalm 91 tells us in verses 1-2 that “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”” A sun and a shield. A refuge and a fortress. Someone to trust. There are things we crave at a deep level. We’re happiest when we feel secure. We’re safest when we feel protected. God can fill both of those needs. And MORE. But there is something we need to do as well in order to qualify for the promise.

Abram was given a promise of a reward: an heir (Genesis 15:4-7). Someone of his own bloodline to take over. To keep the line going. Someone to inherit all that Abram had amassed over the years that God had been blessing him. Not a single heir, but also children through that promised child of such abundance that they couldn’t be counted. The catch was that Abram was over seventy years old and the promise didn’t come to pass for about twenty-five years or so. During that time, Abram did one thing: he chose to believe. To hold onto that promise. We need to do the same. We need to hold onto our promises and walk blamelessly in His sight – which we can only do abiding in JESUS.

Are you following His command to put the Lord your God first and foremost (Matthew 22:37-38)? If so, you’ll be walking uprightly. How? We’re given the spirit of Jesus, His righteous nature (Romans 3:23-26). We’ve been given the Counsellor to teach us all we need to know as we are actively seeking the Kingdom (John 14:26). If you’re desiring to get closer and closer to God, a great place to start is daily time in the Word. Speak out the verses that proclaim your reward, your relationship, and the might of our God. Fear CANNOT withstand God’s love. God IS love and fear cannot co-exist with PERFECT LOVE (1 John 4:18). Darkness flees light. Get close to God and His Glory shines around you. It can be done, but we can only do it when we let Him renew our minds. Getting rid of the worldly thoughts and training by focusing our minds and inner life on the Lord through His Word (Romans 12:1-2). He told Joshua the same thing (Joshua 1:8).

If your walk is centred on JESUS and His WORD, it will be upright. He won’t withhold ANY good thing from you while He is being your Sovereign King AND shielding you from all the harm in life – that’s harm, not tribulations and what HE says is good, not what WE want at any given time. He WILL DO IT. He said so. He keeps His promises. And you will have NO REASON for fear.

Let Him be your shield so trouble doesn’t trouble you. Fear not, He is your shield. Fear not, He will be your reward. Not just a regular reward. An exceedingly abundant one (John 10:10). Yahweh is a God of ABUNDANCE. He LOVES to give to His obedient children who love Him and walk in His ways.
What’s stopping you from being one of those children? Nothing. Nothing at all. Start today.

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: Genesis 1:26-31

God made us. Male and Female. In HIS image. And He declared us good. In ALL our ways. Don’t believe that? Flip over to Genesis 2:25 “The man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed.” In total nakedness. All faults, folds, and foibles exposed before the Lord God Almighty and NO shame. Zip. Why? It isn’t just because they were perfect. No. It is because they were loved AND accepted. We also are loved and accepted AS WE ARE. Thankfully, He doesn’t leave us where He finds us. He works on us. Because He doesn’t like what happened. Adam and Eve were perfect and GOOD. Then they messed up. Big time. There were consequences for that action, but God didn’t abandon us (Deuteronomy 4:31). He stayed with us. Talking to us. Teaching us. Guiding us. Saving us. Again and again. Operating on HIS eager expectation and sure faith in the end result (Isaiah 46:10). God shows us His mercy throughout His Word. Not just to the Israelites, but to the Gentiles as well. First the Jew, and then the step-children grafted into Abraham’s promise (Romans 11:11-31). Granted, not all the people accepted it. Some struck out against Him and suffered the consequences, but God didn’t stop. Not until Jesus walked this earth as fully man, suffered for us, died to pay for sin, and was raised again to life as our Saviour, the Overcomer of the world. Guess what? He’s still doing it today. Talking, teaching, correcting, and guiding (Galatians 5:25). But IN JESUS, we also get indwelling (the Holy Spirit) and fellowship with Jesus AND His Father. No condemnation (John 3:17). No barriers. Just the Love of God pouring over us. Saving us and correcting us because He loves us. As we are. As we are in HIS eyes. Period.

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.