I’ve heard that there are 365 ‘do not fear’ verses in the Bible, one for every day. And since fearing people instead of fearing God is a big struggle for me, I decided to look into this. And the more I looked into this – and was encouraged and challenged – the more I realized I had to share this with others. So, let’s continue this journey together – week 2; and I don’t think it will last 365 days!
Day 6 – Fearful Families
Exodus 1:17, 21 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. … Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.
Story: A new king ruled in Egypt, and quickly made the descendants of Jacob into slaves. But as the population continued to grow, the new king ruled that all baby boys of the Hebrews be killed at birth. But the Hebrew midwives who Pharoah charged with this command feared God, and so disobeyed the king of Egypt. God continued to multiply His people in Egypt, even as they were slaves. And God made sure to bless the two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, giving them children of their own.
My Prayer Response: Father, to fear You means to obey You, no matter what the consequences may be. You recognized these two women, letting us know their names; You blessed them also with families. All because in the face of the mighty king of Egypt, they chose to fear God rather than man. I want to fear You like this. I know that I need to fear You instead of men, but I find myself often doing the opposite. Change my heart so that I fear You above all others.
May the LORD establish give you confidence to go forward today!
Day 7 – God’s Fearful Presence
Exodus 3:6 He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Story: In a burning bush, God revealed Himself to Moses. Before God gave Moses the plan for delivering His people from slavery in Egypt, God revealed His character to Moses as holy. Much like Jacob in Genesis 28, Moses’ first reaction wasn’t excitement, but fear.
My prayer response: Father, I am often with Your people, often before Your Word, often in prayer. Do I take Your presence for granted? Do I treat You as holy, awesome, fearful? I thank you that in Jesus Christ, I can come boldly, not fearfully, before Your throne of grace to find grace and mercy in time of need. But I don’t want to lose this awe and amazement at Your presence. Draw me closer and closer to You, yet still with this fear.
May the LORD keep you in His fear!
Day 8 – Fearful Obedience
Exodus 9:20-21, 30 The one among the servants of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord made his servants and his livestock flee into the houses; but he who paid no regard to the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.
“But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God.”
Story: By this point, God had already sent five plagues on the land of Egypt (water into blood, frogs, flies, death of cattle, and boils). Pharaoh had repeatedly hardened his heart to God, so in verse 18, Moses announces a new plague coming: hail. Upon hearing this announcement, some of Pharoah’s servants feared what God was doing and took action (v. 20); others did not (v. 21). When the plague of hail came in its terrible destruction, Pharoah called for Moses to stop this, even going so far as to say ‘I have sinned.’ (v. 27). But part of Moses’ response in v. 30 is to recognize that Pharoah still doesn’t fear the LORD God. They may fear the plagues and judgments God brings, but not the LORD God Himself.
My Prayer Response: Father, fearing You is not an emotion, but a mindset. To fear You is to recognize You as the dominating, motivating factor of my life. Which means my actions in life flow from that fear of You. How much will be transformed as I grow in the fear of You?! Let me be quick to hear Your Word and quick to obey Your Word; I want to be an effectual doer of Your Word, and not a forgetful hearer.
May the LORD cause you to be a doer of His Word today!
Day 9 – Fear Leads to Fear
Exodus 14:13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.
Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.
Story: Israel has just escaped slavery in Egypt, but they are stopped at the Red Sea. They cannot cross. Behind them come the Egyptian army, the best on the face of the earth. Trapped, Israel is in fear. But God delivers Israel. The sea parts and the people walk on dry ground to the other side. The Egyptian army follows, but never makes it across; they all drown as the waves collapse on top of them.
Israel still has fear, and yet it’s a new fear. No longer a fear of death or capture by the Egyptian army. Now, they fear the LORD, and so they erupt in great praise as recorded in Exodus 15.
My Prayer Response: Father, I need this story, this truth. So many times, I feel like I am trapped and no way to go forward. And I forget that You are present, and You are powerful. Remind me over and over again to stand by and see the salvation of the LORD. What will You accomplish for Your people today?
May you see the salvation of the LORD today!
Day 10 – Fearful Leadership
Exodus 18:21 “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.”
Story: The burden of leading the people of Israel is becoming too much for Moses. His father in law, Jethro, advises him to delegate. But who can Moses entrust with these crucial responsibilities? Jethro gives four qualities: 1) able; 2) fear God; 3) men of truth; 4) hate dishonest gain. The qualities are the same, no matter the size of the leadership. A man who leads a thousand must fear God as much as a man who leads ten. To make wise decisions as leaders and judges, these men must fear God rather than other people.
My Prayer Response: Father, I confess that I started this study because I fear people too often and You too little. I cannot lead well when I don’t fear You. Wisdom from You in making key decisions, even difficult decisions, comes as I fear You; as I focus on Your truth, Your greatness, Your purposes. Thank You for the progress so far; but please, continue to grow me in the fear of You. Not just so that I am a better leader, but so that I draw near to You!
May you serve as a leader today because you fear the LORD!