Genesis 15 - The Shiled of Faith

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

Genesis 15

Thomas S. Myers

Two explorers were on a jungle safari when suddenly a ferocious lion jumped in front of them. "Keep calm" the first explorer whispered. "Remember what we read in that book on wild animals? If you stand perfectly still and look the lion in the eye, he will turn and run." "Sure," replied his companion. "You've read the book, and I've read the book. But has the lion read the book?"

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of grade school children were: 1) Animals, 2) Being in a dark room, 3) High places, 4) Strangers, 5) Loud noises. Today, kids are afraid of the following: 1) Divorce, 2) Nuclear war, 3) Cancer, 4) Pollution, 5) Being mugged.

It is said that the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin so feared for his safety that his residence in Moscow contained eight bedrooms. Each night Stalin chose a bedroom at random to ensure that no one knew exactly where he was sleeping.

Louis Pasteur is reported to have had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands. President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by the newfangled electricity installed in the White House they didn't dare touch the switches. If there were no servants around to turn off the lights when the Harrisons went to bed, they slept with them on.

During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. "You were one of Stalin's colleagues. Why didn't you stop him?" "Who said that?" roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, "Now you know why."

            What are you fearing?  What will happen if the divorce does go through?  Fear of loss of employment?  Fear of losing you're reputation?  Fear of losing your home?  Fear of the dark?  Fear of not being able to pay your bills?  Fear of leaving your home?  Fear of the unknown?  Fear of speaking in public?  Fear of dying?  Fear of meeting new people?

Fear of being turned down.  Fear of failure.

            Fear:  is overestimating the strength of Satan.

            Everyone at several points in their life goes through fears.  If you are struggling with fear, you are not alone.  The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. NASV

            Everyone goes through fears.    Even the great hero of faith went through several different periods of fear.  Look at Genesis 15:1 and notice that Abraham battled fear.

Genesis 15:1

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. NASV

            Now what could possible shake Abraham?  What cold make Abraham legs buckle with fear?

            Did you notice the phrase in verse 1, "AFTER THESE THINGS...?"  What things?  Well the things that happened in chapter 14.  What happened was this.  Four powerful kings had swarmed down to the Dead Sea area and had defeated every village, town and city.  And Abraham had heard that his nephew Lot was taken captive.  So Abraham with his small army of 318 men, gave the 4 kings a surprise attack and defeated them.  I think that Abraham is now afraid that the 4 kings will regroup and make an all out frontal attack against him.  And now he is living in fear. 

            And this is God's giant of faith.  If you were to turn to the book of Hebrews you will find chapter 11 and in chapter 11 are God's hero's of faith.  Abraham is a hero of faith. 

            Something transformed Abraham's life.  Something made Abraham stand on a firm foundation.  Abraham got a hold of something that transformed his life.  And I want to share that with you.

FIRST -- GOD IS YOUR SHIELD OF PROTECTION.

            Look again at Genesis 15:1

Genesis 15:1

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield... NASV

            The Hebrew word "SHIELD" is Megan.  This is not the normal shield that you hold.  It refers to a shield that is used to defend, cover, or surround. 

            That's the kind of shield that I need.  I don't want a shield that I have to hold.  I want a shield that God holds and covers and surrounds me.

            When I was in boot camp, the military taught us how to shoot a rifle.  But you don't just shoot a rifle.  I found out you have to carry a rifle.  After carrying a rifle around you find out that it begins to feel heavy.  After a while that rifle gets to be so heavy that you want to throw it way. 

            But not God's shield.  God is carrying the shield.  God has a shield that surrounds you.

            Let me tell you how God's shield works.  When you have a fear, don't focus on the fear.  Focus on God.  Imagine seeing God's invisible shield surrounding you.   

            Let me illustrate it.

            In the city of Portland, there was a lady who was afflicted by what is called agrafofera.  What that means is that she was afraid to go outside her house.  I mean she was afraid to get her mail.  She was afraid to walk down the side walk.  She was afraid to go to McDonalds.  She had a fear of walking in her own back yard.  Do you know why?  She was afraid that something terrible was going to happen.

            Someone shared with her Genesis 15:1

"...GOD IS YOUR SHIELD..."

            And she thought about God being her shield.  She thought that if God is my shield, than I am protected.  If God is my shield, God will defend me.  She just kept thinking that over and over again.

            So she took the shield of god with her to her back yard, and she felt the strength of encouragement.  She took the shield of God with her to the mailbox and sensed God's protection.  She no longer was afraid of the known. 

            You see, Abraham is afraid of the unknown.  He is thinking that something bad is going to happen.  And the result is Abraham is living in an unjust fear. 

            And I want to tell you that some of you are living in an unjust fear.  You are fearing fears that you have contrived in your mind. 

            Do you know where those fear come from? 

            Turn to 11 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.  NASV

            Folks, God has not given us the spirit of fear?  Who has?  Satan.  It is Satan who wants to keep you bound and defeated. 

            Let me tell you something about fear.  Satan will only give you the spirit of fear when he knows God is going to bless you. 

            For example:  You know what a scare crow is:  If you see a scarecrow you know there is something good near by.  There is a good crop near by.  And the farmer wants to scare the birds away from something good.

            And the point is this, Satan will give you the spirit of fear to keep you from something good.   

            But when God is your shield, do you know what you can do?

Joshua 23:10

10 “One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you.  NASV

Joshua 1:9

9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  NASV

Hebrews 13:6

6 so that we confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.

What shall man do to me?"

B -- THE PROBLEMS OF FEAR.

1.  Fear Is Contagious.

            Fear spreads.  Fear is like a contagious disease.  It spreads like lightening.

            Remember when Moses sent out the 12 spies.  Ten of the spies said the promised land was full of giants and that it is impossible to enter the promised land. 

Numbers 14:1-2

1 Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!  NASV

            There are some of you who could sang, but because of the icy fingers of fear, you back off. 

            There are some of you who cold teach, but you do not teach because you are paralyzed with fear.

            There are some you who ought to witness, but you don't witness.  You're like an arctic river, frozen at the mouth, and it is because of fear.

            Fear has stopped the army of God to many times. 

FIRST -- GOD IS YOUR SHIELD OF PROTECTION.

SECOND -- GOD HAS A DEFINITE BLESSING FOR YOU.

Genesis 15:1-5

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,

“Do not fear, Abram,

I am a shield to you;

Your reward shall be very great.”

 2 And Abram said, “O Lord God, what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”  3 And Abram said, “Since Thou hast given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.”  4 Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.”  5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be."  NASV        

            I can see Abraham talking with God.  God it is so great that you are going to bless me.  But I don't have a family.  If I die, everything you give me, when I die will be inherited by chief servant.  God, I want my inheritance to remain in my family. 

            Look at verse 4 and see how God is going to bless Abraham. 

Genesis 15:4-5

4 Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.”  5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be."  NASV

            That has literally been fulfilled?  Turn to Galatians 3:7

Galatians 3:7

7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.  NASV

            Listen God can bless you immensely if you are willing to trust God.

Matthew 6:19-20

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.  NASV

            Sometimes we say, "When you die, you can't take anything with you.  But you can send it ahead of you.

            Someone has said, "You can't cash any checks in heaven, without first having made a deposit.