Daily Encouragement Net - Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Home  About Us  Archives  Free email subscription  Listen to this message Listen to this message  Donate to this ministry

Wednesday, October 26, 2005
 
"Fear Not My Child"

"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'" (Genesis 15:1). "Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:17,18).

It's amazing the interests people have and express on the internet. Yesterday I was reading an article on Islamophobia and followed a link to a long list of identified phobias. Someone began doing this years ago as a hobby and now has a listing of over 500 phobias! I am sure everyone will find something on the list they struggle with. I happen to deal with hypsiphobia.

These are certainly times that induce fear. There are storms, financial issues and terrorist threats among so many issues that can bring fear in our lives.

Fear itself is first expressed in the Bible shortly after the transgression in the garden when Adam said to God, "I was afraid" (Genesis 3:10). The remainder of the Bible is full of many expressions of human fear for a wide variety of reasons. It's still that way today and many of you may be dealing with anxiety and fear as you read this.

I find great assurance in the tiny phrase found often in Scripture translated "fear not" (or generally "do not be afraid" in the NIV). This phrase is found sixty-two times from Genesis to Revelation.

Today I encourage you to hear His voice speaking gently to your heart and to put your confidence in the Lord. Some of you are really struggling with fear as you read this. It's crippling you spiritually. But God continues to speak, "Fear not". He truly cares for those who belong to Him.
 
He said "Child, don't look behind,
Discouragement is all you'll find.
Don't watch the waves that roll the sea,
But just focus your eyes on Me.
And I will make you strong and then,
Your shattered courage I will mend.
And if you fall and should get hurt,
Remember these eternal words.":
 
Fear not my child I'm with you always,
I feel every pain and every tear I see.
Fear not my child I'm with you always,
I know how to care for what belongs to Me. *
 
 
Be encouraged today,
 
 
Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer – Jesus, so many experiences in life make me afraid.  It's not only my own experiences but also reading the news or seeing others in troubling circumstances that leads to my own insecurities.  Often times I borrow trouble that is not my own.  But that is the point You make in Your Word when You remind me that my trouble is not my own, but rather it is Yours if I turn it over to You.  You are my Shield against the fiery darts of the devil and You are the Glory and the Lifter of my head.  I don't have to cringe in fear because You are with me.  Your protection assures me that things will turn out for good.  Jesus, though Your followers felt devastated when You hung limp on the cross You had a powerful plan all along and it turned out very good.  Not only did You rise from the dead, but You are alive forevermore preparing a place for each of us who remain faithful to You.  Jesus, I seek You because I know that You hear me and You want to deliver me from all my fears.  I thank You for it, in Your name.  Amen.

Here's the article on Islamophobia I read yesterday.

Here's the phobia list I referred to in today's message. Interestingly this list does not include Islamophobia nor does it include Christianophobia or Christophobia, although articles on each of these can readily be found on the internet.

* "Fear Not My Child" Carman © 1985 Lehsem Music, LLC dba Lehsem Songs (Admin. by Lehsem Music, LLC) CCLI License No. 2005306
Here's a nice a-cappella sample of this song.
You can also listen to this on Carman's website.

Autumn morningIt's a beautiful, crisp fall morning in our neck of the woods. We had a stunning sunrise and here's a photo I took early this morning with some fall color finally coming on the trees! (Click on the photo to enlarge)





 

Sign up for the free daily email encouragement at www.dailyencouragement.net

Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.


Please pass this webpage on:   


Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

© Copyright 2005 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved  ׀  Daily Encouragement Net - PO Box 714 - Mount Joy, PA 17552

"Living today anchored in God's solid foundation"