“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Fear Not, Abram. I am your shield, [a]your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 KJV
In Genesis 15:1, God gave Abram this powerful instruction. If you read from chapter 14, you’d see it in context. Abraham had just come back from a battle where he went to rescue his nephew, Lot, and his family who had been taken as captives of war. Before then, the Bible records that God had blessed Abram with great wealth, he had everything he needed and more. In fact, the land could no longer contain him and his nephew because of their great wealth.
Now, after this successful war, Abram looted the enemies, recovering everything they had stolen, and more. But something profound happened, he gave it ALL away, without even stopping to think. Did he do it because he had so much wealth? Absolutely not! Hear his reason for yourself, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’…” Genesis 14:22-23 NKJV
Abram never took his eyes off his source, his sustainer. Because He knew who his provider was. He also knew he was not wealthy because he worked so hard or because he had powerful allies. He knew God was the source of EVERYTHING he had and will ever have. So, he never took his eyes off Him. He was not afraid to give it all away because he knew that God, his source, would provide much more for him.
Friends, let the trust (faith) of Abram inspire you today. In these difficult times, remember who your source is. No matter what the financial experts are predicting, no matter how gloomy the future seems, FEAR NOT! Fix your eyes on Jesus, put all your trust in Him. God is saying to you the same words he said to Abram in Genesis 15:1 “Fear not, (insert your name): I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for this timely reminder that you are my shield, and my exceeding great reward. Help me to always keep this at the forefront of my mind. Help me to trust you even when I feel afraid. Because you truly are my provider, my defender and my refuge. Amen.
FEAR NOT 365
Many times in the midst of all the chaos in our lives we forget one simple truth, FEAR NOT is not a piece of advice. It’s a command, an instruction from the Almighty God, the creator of the entire universe, the owner of the heavens and all the earth. And all we have to do is trust and obey Him.
