Why Fear?

Moses wrote in our text, “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Genesis 15:1. It is a fact that fears will spoil the New Year for many. Fear is common to all! Adam said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10. Fear robs life of joy, bringing gloom instead of gladness. The first “fear not” is found in Genesis15:1. It was given to Abram, a man of faith. When one thinks about, they understand that fear and faith are opposites. It is true that when faith increases, fear decreases. Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. Romans 10:17. Even we are like Abram; we experience fear after a great victory. A promise was given to Abram to overcome his fears.

            First, notice the person making this promise.“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision….” A promise is only as good as the person makingit. This promise was from “the LORD.” Who is “the LORD? He is the One who madeheaven and earth. “My help cometh from the LORD, Which made heaven and earth.”Psalm 121:2. He is the One who cannot lie. “Inhope of eternal life, which God, thatcannot lie, promised before the world began.” Titus 1:2. He is the Onewho can do anything but fail! “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heavenand the earth by thy great power and stretchedout arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” Jeremiah 32:17. “Forwith God nothing shall be impossible.”Luke 1:37. We can stand securely on the promise of God. His promises will holdwhen the storm comes. We need to allow the promises of God to drive our fearsaway. The promises of God cover every problem wewill face this year. We can enter this year with confidence in ourunfailing God.

            Second, notice the protection accompanying this promise. Listen to “the LORD.”  “I am thy shield.” Moses is telling Israel that “the LORD” had saved them “the shield of thy help.” Deuteronomy 33:29. David called “the LORD” “our help and our shield in Psalm 33:20. In Psalm 84:11, David said that “the LORD God” “is a sun and shield.” As a Christian, we should find light and a shelter in the time of a storm in “the LORD God.” God has given us the sun for happy days and a shield for the unhappy ones. Faith that comes by hearing God’s Word shields us from Satan’s attacks. Paul wrote, “Above all, taking the shield of faith,wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”Ephesians 6:16.  Solomon said, “they understand of God is pure:  He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Proverbs 30:5. 

            Third, notice the prospects resulting from this promise. Listen to “the LORD.” “I amthy…exceeding great reward.” Abramrefused the rewards of the king of Sodom. He was with three hundred andeighteen servants had rescued Lot and others from Chedorlaomer in Genesis 14. He could have had great rewards for this rescuebut turned them down. Could he now have been having second thoughts about this?“The LORD” would be a greater reward for himthan anything he could have received. Can you and I see “the LORD” as ourreward, more valuable than all earthly gains?

            “The LORD” offers us salvation “which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” 2Timothy 2:10. “The LORD” invites us to, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. “The LORD’s” protection is given to His children. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. “The LORD” has promised His children heaven as their final reward. “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Colossians 1:5. “The LORD” gives us a warning. “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Hebrews 4:1. Also, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31. Let us take heed to what Paul writes in Philippians 2:12, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Bobby D. Gayton