Facing your fears is a difficult thing to do. Jacob had been away for 20 years, but the summon to return home, and the possibility of seeing his parents, was clouded by the fear that Esau was still there. This question must have haunted Jacob: “Does Esau still want to kill me?”
In obedience Jacob continued home.
Not that he wasn’t afraid. He was! He sent gifts ahead to appease Esau, and created a strategy to defend his family if attacked, splitting the camp in two. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid sometimes . . . especially when you choose to do the right thing despite your fear. That’s courage. It can also be a sign of faith.
When we follow God’s will for our lives, there will be times when the experience is uncomfortable – perhaps even scary. When you stand up for God’s Word there will be times that people will demean, scream, yell, threaten, slander and sometimes do physical harm. However, when we start looking at those threats and becoming frightened we do well to remember who our God is. Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28ff) Jesus is not threatening us in this verse, but he is say, “You are so worried about power and what people can do. Remember where the real power is! And remember that the One with real power loves you!” Remember the love He displayed on the cross!
This is the lesson that Job learned, too. When life becomes overwhelming remember to look to Jesus to be overwhelmed by Him! If God would give His Son for us, how will He not defend us even now?
When I was in the seminary I was assigned to help out and be mentored at an inner city church in St. Louis, MO. It was a great congregation that provided a lot of learning experiences. Perhaps one of the most valuable of those came from a very short, kindly, retired pastor who worshiped there. He was 90 years old at the time, and he had seen a lot across his ministry. His name was Pastor Fey.
During the 1960’s Pastor Fey served a congregation in Buffalo, NY. At that time racial tensions were very high all across the U.S., and Buffalo was no different. He experienced that tension first hand when one of the Black members of his church became very ill, and tiny Pastor Fey went to the apartment where this individual lived to make a pastoral call. He was greeted at the door of the apartment building by a hulking Black man who barred the way. “White people are not allowed in,” was the warning he gave. Pastor Fey was not deterred even though he was a head-and-a-half shorter than this guy. He insisted to see his parishioner. The “door man” looked down on Pastor Fey and said, “You don’t get it. I could kill you right now! Aren’t you afraid?”
Pastor Fey looked him in the eye and said, “What kind of God do you think I serve that I’d be afraid of you?”
Father in Heaven, sometimes the things of this world overshadow my life and they are intimidating. Thank You for loving me and providing for me. Help me to trust You more and more. When I become afraid help me to place my trust in You and serve You as You call me to; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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