Genesis 26:7 And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.”
Like father like son, some might say about Isaac as they read about him following in the same pattern of his father Abraham, who also lied about his relationship with his wife. This further illustrates the power fear holds over us when we yield to it. Isaac had just had an encounter with God, who reiterated the covenant He made with Abraham. Isaac obeyed God’s command to move to a new land, but when he got there, he became afraid for his own life.
God’s Word will not return void. (Isaiah 55:11) Isaac could have just held on to God’s promise to bless and multiply him and his family, which would be hard to do if he was dead, but Isaac feared for his own life. The fear of death is a crippling terror. I have seen the fear of death overtake people and strip them of all the joy and vibrancy that life in Christ has. Yes, I have seen born-again and even Spirit-filled Christians held in bondage by the fear of death. This ought not be so.
1Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.” (55) “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?” (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1Corinthians 15:54-55 MSG Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life! (55) Who got the last word, oh, Death? Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?
Jesus died to set us free from sin and death. 1 Corinthians 15:56 tells us that sin is what causes us to have a fear of death, but God has forever dealt with sin in Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 9:26) Jesus holds the keys of death (Revelation 1:18) and was raised from the dead so that all who believe in Him would have everlasting life. (John 3:16-17) There is so much here we could talk about, but the bottom line is FEAR NOT! If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, He lived a sinless life, was unjustly put to death bearing your sin, rose from the dead, is seated at the right hand of the Father God, and you’ve asked Him to be your Lord, then you have nothing to fear. Eternal life is yours. FEAR NOT. What is there to fear? The worst thing that could happen is you die. Praise God! Then you would find yourself with Him, which is far better. So, FEAR NOT. Death is swallowed up in triumphant life.
Fearless Fridays 