THE PROMISE

“You shall not be afraid of them” (Deuteronomy 7:18). For Israel, “them” represented the massive, well-armed heathen nations they faced. For us today, “them” represents every problem, trouble, and overwhelming difficulty we face in life.

God tells us that we are not to fear! And because He says so, no other explanation is needed. He is all powerful and wholly aware of the satanic strongholds we face. He knows every trial and temptation that Satan will ever throw at us. And still He commands us, “You shall not fear any of them!”

Abraham was living in a strange country, surrounded by powerful kings, not knowing where he would end up. Yet, God’s first word to him was, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

The meaning of this verse is, “I will be a wall around you, your protector, your defense.” In essence, God was telling Abraham, “You are going to face difficulties but I will protect you through them all.” Abraham responded by believing God’s word to him: “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (verse 6).

Abraham’s son Isaac also lived in a hostile environment, surrounded by Philistines who hated him, harassed him, and wanted him off their land. Scripture says that every time Isaac dug a well for a supply of water, the Philistines filled it back up (see Genesis 26:15).

Everywhere Isaac went he felt nothing but contention. A cloud of doubt formed over him and he wondered if he could ever make it. But God gave Isaac the same word He had given Abraham: “Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake” (Genesis 26:24).

Today, like Isaac, we are the children of Abraham and God makes the same promise to us: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).