Day 7 - Genesis 15:1 (The first Fear (Not) in the Bible...)

Genesis 15:1 -After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Genesis 22:12
"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

As far as what I can see, this is the first time God says to anyone, "Fear Not!" It came after a great victory, and yet, before the great miracle of a child. He is striving to be faithful and yet desiring so badly to see a child born to him. In response to his courage in defeating the armies and rescuing his nephew, God says, I am your shield, meaning I did and I will protect you. And, in response to his obedience not to take the wealth that the king of Sodom wanted to give him, he says, I will be your reward. Fear not, because I am your protector and I am you reward. I am all you need to fear. What a great reminder to us that he is both our protector and our reward. Are these not the two things that cause us the most fear? The fear of our lives being hurt seems to dominate most of our fears. But I think we also fear not having enough money to survive as well. And this next verse to Abraham (coincidentally?) is the first reference to fearing God and occurs when Abraham was in faith being obedient to God to slay his only beloved son. God proved to both Abraham and God that Abraham truly did fear God. The fear of God is the prerequisite for obedience. If Abraham did not fear God, he would not have made the three day walk to Mount Moriah. What have we not obeyed that shows our lack of fear of God?

Day 6 - Psalm 27:1

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?

I memorized this Psalm as a little boy to encourage me when I was afraid. I love this verse and now I quote it to my kids... The answer to his questions? I shall fear only God and there is no one and nothing that I should be afraid of...