Sneaking quietly outside the back fence of our yard, I waited for the right moment to begin to growl, attracting the attention of my grandkids that were playing together at dusk. After the initial surprise, they started moving toward the fence instead of running away. They could hear their Papa’s voice in that growl and were familiar with my tactics. My efforts at a good scare were met with laughter, giggles and a repeated, “Do it again.”
Have you ever been afraid? Have you ever felt your heart leap, or your breathing become labored? The Bible records a moment in the life of Abraham when he was afraid: “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him” (Genesis 15:12, NKJ). The thought in the passage is that God revealed to Abraham what would happen to his descendants during their 400 years of bondage in Egypt. Abraham got a glimpse of the future and horror fell on him.
The wonder of the Bible characters is that they are so human. The great man of faith was reduced to a whimper when God lifted the veil at what was to come. In our humanity, we also wrestle with anxiety, depression, and fear. The difference is that Abraham saw his future while ours is quite hidden. Our fear of the future is rooted in the unknown. Jesus warned not to worry about tomorrow and simply focus on today (Matthew 6:34). He wants us to live with faith and not fear.
Our present world provides plenty of reasons to be afraid, but that is not God’s will for your life. Paul told Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7, NKJ). In fact, every generation from Adam has had reason to live with anxiety. Fear is nurtured where faith is stifled. Hear God’s promises: “Fear not, for I am with you;” (Isaiah 41:10, NKJ); “…nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God …”(Romans 8:39, NLT); “…Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalms 56:3, NKJ); "Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine (Isaiah 43:1, NCV). Focus on God and let Him calm your fears.
Abraham’s experience of terror was met with God’s assurance that He was in control. The Lord knew every detail of Abraham’s future. The nation would endure suffering and pain, but all under the watchful eye of the Lord. It is comforting to know that everything in my future only comes by the permission of God. In fact, my Heavenly Father also screens my children’s and grandchildren’s futures. The old hymn rings true: “Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.”