“And God spoke to Israel (Jacob) in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes.” Genesis 46:2-4
Why is it that us humans are so prone to fear? So easy to become afraid? So anxious about our future and our situations? By chapter 46 of Genesis, Joseph has revealed himself to his brothers. He has also sent a caravan of wagons, food, and provisions to retrieve his father Jacob, the rest of his family, all of their belongings, and all of their livestock. You see the famine was so severe in Canaan where Jacob lived, that if you stayed, you died. And that included the sheep, donkeys, cows and chickens. As I imagine this whole family and all of their stuff loaded up on these wagons, heading to Egypt, I can’t help but think about the Beverly Hillbillies as they loaded up that old truck and headed off to the land of swimming pools and movie stars. This scene might have been reminiscent, but I highly doubt Jacob and his clan found any swimming pools.
But as eager as Jacob was to see his long lost son Joseph and have his family well fed, he was reluctant to go to Egypt. You see, Jacob knew his family tree. His grand-father Abraham had been instructed to stay out of Egypt, but he went anyway and got into a little trouble over there. God then said the same thing to Isaac, and the apple didn't fall far from the tree as he also found trouble in Egypt. I guess you could say that Jacob saw Egypt as a hot stove and knew better than to touch it. But God senses his hesitation and comes to him in a dream with a message I think we would all love to receive from God. Do not be afraid, I am with you wherever you go.
When I was growing up we had a few head of sheep. And we had a very certain word for them because they were so quick to become afraid, skittish. Sheep are naturally skittish becuase they have no natural defense. As a result, they were always on the lookout for "something." And when that "something" appeared, they would scatter like the wind. They were always ready to flee to what they preceived as "new safety." So why are we humans so skittish? You know, if you’re dead honest we all are. And I don’t mean just afraid for our physical safety, like being scared of bad people with knives. I mean a fear and anxiety that generates deeper. One that when it exists in our lives, the rest of our world revolves around that fear like the planets revolve around the sun. What are we really so afraid of?
I think it’s really pretty simple. The future. We as humans want to know. We want to be able to look ahead and see miles down the road. We want to know not only what our steps tomorrow will be, but we want to see the next weeks and the next years as well. But unfortunately, that’s not how it works. And the more our path is obscured to us, the more likely we are to formulate fear, anxiety and worry.
Now you might think that this process of dealing with fear is something new, but folks, people in the Bible weren’t any different than you and I are today. Bible people didn't know they were living in Bible times. In fact, look carefully at this data about fear, being afraid, and being anxious that God includes in His Holy Word.
> "Do not fear", "do not be afraid" and "be not anxious" are the most often repeated command or exhortations in God’s Word
> Depending on the Biblical translation, “do not be afraid” or “do not fear” is in the Bible up to 314 times
> Jesus personally commands "do not be afraid" somewhere between 32 and 40 times, depending on the Biblical translation.
It’s easy to see that God has plenty to say to us about fear and the anxiety it brings. He is acutely aware that this is something that we can, and will, all struggle with. So how do you do battle with the big ugly monster of fear? Well, it sounds kinda simple but one word will send fear into the recesses of existence, banished into the dark corners of this world in an ironic fear of its own…..FAITH.
You see God didn’t just tell Jacob not to fear and then stop the sentence, He kept going. "Do not fear for I myself will go with you." Faith is knowing that whatever you are experiencing, God is right there with you. Faith is not just believing in God, but believing in His daily personal presence in your life. The other day Margie and I were having some deep prayer and discussion time about our future serving God and we both got quiet and experienced a sweet, peaceful moment descend upon us. Margie looked at me and said, “God is sitting right here with us.” Amen. God is always with His children. In fact, if you think about it, for the over 300 times he tells us not to be afraid in His Word, that’s actually what He is really telling us. I am with you. You see when we question our future, we’re really questioning the closeness of God. God are you out there? God are you close? God are you listening? The answer is always a very robust yes. He is close, He is near, He is listening, and He is with you. Holding your hand, lighting your path and guiding each of your steps.
“Do not be afraid Jacob, I myself will go down with you into Egypt.”
I so need that message today. Our human nature is one that isolates. We just have a natural tendency to wall ourselves off from the world emotionally. As we unintentionally do this, God unfortunately becomes part of that crowd and we experience loneliness and distance from our Maker, which in time turns to fear and anxiety. Repel the fear by taking time and making the effort to keep God close. Spend time studying His Word daily. Make an appointment to spend time with Him in His Word every morning. Also use some of this time for prayer, to talk to God. I’ve heard it said that God talks to us through His Word and we talk to Him through prayer. Both are imperative, use both as a mighty weapon against the evil one that wants nothing more than to see a great chasm be created between you and God. Also do not forsake fellowship. You should be getting together with some brothers and sisters in Christ outside of church weekly. This time is critical. And don’t forget to serve. One of the most important shifts in our human nature is one that moves us from an internal perspective to one that is external. As Rick Warren starts out his book, A Purpose Driven Life, “it’s not all about you.” Get out of yourself today and get into the lives of others through service.
It is no coincidence that God compares us to sheep. We, just as sheep, are skittish with fear, a fact of life but one that can be dealt with. Not that we ourselves can deal with it, but Jesus can. The presence of Jesus Christ in our lives can and will drive out the fear that looks to plague us by stealing our joy and peace. Do not fear and do not be afraid, for the God of the Universe is at your side.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Blessings to you today as you fight the good fight of faith ~ Dan
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