I can still remember the sound of pattering feet above the noise of the storm that raged outside. As I was counting the seconds between each thunderclap and the lightning that followed, my arms opened, as the little one rushed in with words that were muffled against my chest. “Mommy, I’m scared.”
As I calmed her fears about the piercing lightening and booming thunder I became her safe place. Whether it was an internal nightmare or an external situation she would come looking for a way to dispel the fear that clung to her when faced with circumstances so much bigger than the toddler she was.
Counting Fears
Abram had just come through a battle where he faced a much larger and more dangerous army than his 318 trained servants. (Genesis 14:14-16) The Most High God had intervened, the enemy fled and Abram recovered the goods and people that had been taken.
After these things we find Abram at the beginning of Genesis 15 encompassed with fear and discouragement. It may be he was worried about a retaliation from these eastern kings and their allies. Abram was only a stranger in the land with no associates to rally around him. Or it may have been a natural reaction following the excitement of the battle.
Whatever the cause, the shadow of dread and despondency had fallen on Abram and He was counting his fears. Abram’s need was reassurance. Consequently, God stepped in with words of encouragement. God speaks to Abram’s fears. So it is still today, God comes and ministers to our necessity. In our moment of need, God’s abundance supplies our scarcity.
“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
Genesis 15:1
Promised Protection
In our world today there are countless evils that run rampart which causes fear to grip our hearts. Yet the only rational way that our fear can be vanquished is by showing our fears to be unfounded. However, this is not to say we just shut our eyes and refuse to acknowledge the facts.
Problems do abound that cause us to count our fears as an acceptable action. Yet, God does not want us to live with the shadows of fear lying large around us. We must come to the place where we can count God’s faithfulness bigger than our fears of what may or may not happen
It is in the midst of the real world that God promises to be our shield and protection. Consequently, the fear can be conquered because of the knowledge that God is in entire control despite the harrowing circumstances of life.
Scattering Fears
God came not only with the words ‘fear not’ but with the assurance that God was Abram’s shield. He was the source of protection in an untamed land occupied by the enemy. It is only as we see God as bigger than the ‘boogie man’ of our circumstances that the shadows of our fear can be scattered.
It is when we give God our fears that our capacity for more of God is enlarged. He becomes our Reward. His Presence will far exceed the outward problems that exist. It is faith that gives to us God Himself as our Reward. When we have God, we are not at the mercy of external circumstances. He orders our steps and in the absence of material help He will be enough.
When God came to Abram with words that met the need of his soul, Abram then addressed the glaring contradiction of the promise of an heir. God did not berate him for his complaint, but with infinite patience He revealed to Him a shimmering picture of what would be. Abram was commanded to look up into the skyscape that glittered with countless stars. God told Abram to count them if He could. Moreover, God went on to say that Abram’s descendants would be as uncountable as the stars.
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6
The outcome of that encounter was a deeper belief in God. To all outward appearances nothing had changed. However, inwardly the fear had been replaced by a broader faith in God. God accepted this belief as righteousness. When we count on God’s faithfulness we will find God faithful.
Finding God Faithful
When our fears grow mountain high we must run to God. He is our safe place. He is the only One who can dispel the fears of the soul. God meets us in our necessity and we by faith can accept His abundant “enoughness” in every situation. Moreover, God welcomes our seeking heart. When questions surface and we don’t understand, it is with loving patience God reiterates His promises to our hearts.
Are you counting your fears or counting God faithful? Will you let God remove your fears by faith, consequently, gaining a greater capacity for Him? Will the words, “and she believed” be said about you when you are faced with formidable enemies? How will you choose to trust God in your situation this week?
0 Comments