God is our Shield and Reward

It is said that there are 365 “Fear Not”‘s in the scriptures…the first is in Gen 15:1, God’s promise to Abram that He will be both shield and reward…a promise that’s valid for us as well, and a good reason to #FearNot in 2015.

Happy New Year.

Realities don’t have to be Roadblocks

The second “Fear Not” is in Gen 21:17, where God tells Hagar that He knows her situation and her son will live. He allowed her responsibilities to far outweigh her resources, and He committed Himself to be her supply, even though she was a stranger and outcast. Your realities don’t have to become your roadblocks – look to the One who works miracles, sees individuals, and says things like “Fear not” and “Come to Me”.

God keeps His promises, no matter what

The third “Fear Not” is in Gen 26:24, where the Lord appears to Isaac, introduces Himself, and says “fear not, for I am with thee”…and He repeats to Isaac the promise He made to Abraham about multitudes of offspring – for His servant’s sake. God keeps all His promises, for His own name’s sake if not for ours, and sometimes, because He made the promise to someone else who loves both us and Him. You might be alive because of your grandma’s prayers – and because God will keep His promises, no matter what…therefore, #FearNot.

Life invested in God is never in vain

I’m not sure it’s among the aforementioned 365 ‘fear not’ statements, but it exists and it comes next and it says ‘fear not’, so here y’go… Gen 35:17 – Jacob & family are traveling, Rachel is in hard labor with her second son, Ben (his name got adjusted before the paperwork was filed). The midwife says “fear not, you will have this son”.

Sometimes we may feel like we’re giving our last ounce of strength – and some truly have – but when it is given to and for God, it will live on whether we do or not. Invest yourself, your all, in His kingdom, in what He has prepared for you to do, and whether life is long or short, it will not be in vain… #FearNot.

God redeems and restores

The next ‪#‎FearNot‬ shows up in Gen 46:3, when God tells 130 year old Jacob that He will go with the family to Egypt, and when it has become a nation, He will bring them out again – moreover, that Jacob and Joseph, father and long-lost-son, will be together until Jacob’s eyes are closed in death.

The God who knows all, plans ahead, redeems bad situations, and restores relationships says “Fear not, I will be with you and yours.”

The humble need not fear God’s people

Jacob and Joseph have about 17 years together, then it’s Joseph’s turn to say ‪#‎FearNot‬, as his brothers feel certain that they’re about to see his revenge for being sold into slavery. What they have is his forgiveness, long ago granted, and finally realized. Gen 50:19 – the humble have nothing to fear from those submitted to God.

People submitted to God can be trusted

In Gen 50:21, Joseph reiterates the promise he made in Gen 47, that he will provide for his brothers and their families. People who are fully submitted to God can be trusted to keep their promises, especially when they are based in plans God has already declared, ‪#‎FearNot‬