STORMS ON THE SEAS
Not every day on the water is a good day. Not every day in our lives is a good day. Matthew 8:23 - 27 relays a story of the disciples being on the water when a storm arises. The disciples did what many of us do. Panic, fear, afraid of what the future will bring. Everything in our DNA tells us we are in a storm, a fight for our lives. Will our future be as we want; will it be as God wants?
Some say the phrase, “Do Not Fear” is used 366 times in the bible one for every day of the year including a day for leap year. So, when did God first use the phrase “Do Not Fear?” It didn’t happen with Adam and Eve or Noah, which is shocking because all of them had reason to fear. It is first used with Abram, who later was renamed Abraham, by God. Genesis 15:1,” Don’t be afraid. I am your shield. Your reward will be great.”
What was Abram afraid of? Well, he had just conquered Chedorlaomer, the great king. It seems as if all should be calm now. Abram’s stormy seas so to speak happened during the battle with King Chedorlaomer. God had allowed Abram to be victorious in this battle. Shouldn’t Abram be singing praises to God? After all this storm of the battle was over, and he had won! The Bible tells us it was sometime after this battle that Abram’s emotions were causing him to be afraid. It was this fear that God was responding to. In Genesis 15:2 Abram told the Lord all His blessings would be no good if he didn’t have an heir. It is during this conversation that God states, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” I found it interesting God told him not to fear before Abram said anything to God. God knew his heart, God knew his emotions, God knew his fear. He knows us. He knows when we are focused on the negative and when we are focused on His blessings.
As I looked for a reference of phrases for fear being used 366 times; I was not able to confirm this. It seems that references to fear, being afraid or worry is more than 366 times. I believe God gave us this command so many times because every day there will be a challenge. There may be more than one challenge a day. Things will cause us to fear even after we have seen God’s mighty power. Just as the disciples became afraid after seeing Jesus perform many miracles and Abram had emotional fear after winning a major battle; we also forget how God has made the impossible possible in our lives. Each day we need to stand on His Word to “NOT BE AFRAID.” We must feed ourselves God’s promises we find in the Bible and the many blessings He has done for us in our lives. Just as we eat food 3 times a day and snacks 2-3 times a day, or more. We need to repeat His Word; and remind ourselves of His past blessings several times during the day. In Genesis 15:1 He tells us “Don’t be afraid. “Because 1. “I am your shield.” He is shielding us from storms daily. Call on Him as the disciples did on the boat. He spoke to the water and calmed the wind and the waves. 2. “Your reward will be great.” He gives us a reward when we have faith in Him. He has good for us. Trust His way. Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Getting an heir was not coming as quickly as Abram wanted but it came in God’s time and what He promised happened. How do I know this? I’m here, you are here. There are times when we go through storms, we want things to change now or not to have the storm happen at all. The disciples did not want a storm but when they called on Jesus, He knew how to calm the storm. Abram told God his fear. God had a plan, and his son was born. Every morning this week let us begin our day with “I will not be afraid for God is my shield and my reward; It will be a great day.”
Be blessed and encouraged this week. He is for you!
