After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 NKJV
Not all, but many are responding to the Corona Virus with fear as expressed in the financial crisis and the run on sanitizers and toilet paper. God speaks often in the Bible with the admonition to “fear not”, “do not be afraid”, “don’t worry”, or “be a peace”. Encouraging us to do it “once” would be enough, but there are over 100 times that the expression is given in the Bible. With this in mind, I would like to submit my blog entries on Fridays as “Fear Not Friday”. For the next several months let’s explore some of the Bible verses that we can commit to memory and meditation regarding the examples given to “Fear not”.
Abram had just gone to battle and defeated Kings with just a few of his own skilled men. The thought of retaliation was definitely present on his mind. The phrase “after these things” is a nod to the battles that Abram had just completed.
Do you sometimes fear repercussions from actions that you have taken? Have you taken a stand for righteousness and then feared retaliation? Would the fear of somebody coming against you, cause you not to get engaged in a battle to help others?
Even Abraham, the great patriarch of the Jewish and Christian faith dealt with fear. God told Abram “do not be afraid” or in the KJV “do not fear”. Why? God is his shield. This is the first time that God specifically addresses someone in the Bible by telling them to “fear not”. His instruction and promise are for Abram and our lives.
The primary understanding of a shield is for protection of attacks from an enemy. A large shield could be used to crouch behind to be safe from the arrows and spears that would be thrown at you. This would include Paul’s illustration of the fiery darts that come from the enemy in which the shield of faith is stronger than those darts. God is big enough for us find a way to be protected from the onslaught of our enemies.
The secondary purpose of a shield was for identification. The markings and shape of a shield identified “whose side you belong to in the battle”. God was telling Abram. “I am with you. All will know that you are with Me, because they will see the protection that I provide for you.” God himself was the shield for Abraham.
Does this protection that God gave to Abram cover me also? Yes if you are a believer. Colossians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, God made a way for the blessings of Abram to be applied to our lives also. God is your shield.
You don’t have to be afraid of being caught unaware, for God is at hand. Even when walking through trials and sufferings, He is present. Give thanks that God is your shield. Happy “Fear Not Friday”.
Blessings Love y’all