Genesis 15:1 ESV
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.”
Oh, how precious the voice of the LORD is to the soul that yearns to listen to Him! It surpasses the satisfaction from any other thing because the LORD’s voice conveys information and the divine power to do what He has spoken. Once in a tight spot, where three kings and their armies had come against Judah, king Jehoshaphat did the wisest thing to do: he “…set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chr 20:3 NKJV). Hallelujah! ‘Was that the wisest thing to do at such a critically threatening moment?’ ‘Didn’t Judah need to be physically strong rather than getting weak in body because of fasting?’ one may wonder.
Well, considering the truth that “the battle [is not] to the strong” (Ecc 9:11 NKJV) and that the LORD is “a man of war” (Exo 15:3 NKJV) who is “strong and mighty…mighty in battle” (Psa 24:8 NKJV), it was only wise to inquire of Him first. Our undertakings amount to something only when the LORD has given clearance about them (in His Word) and blesses them. As for Judah, the LORD graciously spoke during their time of prayer and fasting. As a result, “Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD” (2 Chr 20:18 NKJV). Hallelujah! God’s word brought hope and courage and clarified the subsequent courses of action.
In our Scripture of reference, the word of the LORD to Abram equally brought about a blessed turning point in his life. A lot had happened to Abram by that time. However, “…the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great'”. Hallelujah! Yes, it pays to first listen keenly, receive gladly, and act appropriately on the word of God by faith. In both cases, Jehoshaphat and Abram had indeed been gripped by fear. However, to Jehoshaphat, the LORD said, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed” (2 Chr 20:15 NKJV); and to Abram, the LORD also said, “Fear not”. May you receive great hope, clear direction, and steadfast courage as you inquire of the LORD.
Pst. Emmanuel
