Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
Jacob reveals that every time fear comes into your life, you are not living the Christian way of life. Part 2.
Tuesday, August 20, 2002
Jacob jumped to the conclusion that Esau still intended to make good his threat to kill him, and he has forgotten the encouragement he had received by the sight of the angels at Mahanaim.
The courage and the confidence generated by the vision of angels is dissipated.
The news so terrified Jacob and overwhelmed him with anguish that he is now driven to human solutions and human plans.
You do not operate in wisdom when you are extremely frightened and filled with fear.
2TI 1:7 “For God has not given us a lifestyle of fear, but of power and love and of sound judgment.”
DEU 31:8 “And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.”
ISA 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Fear will manifest itself by worry, anxiety, insecurity, and nervousness.
Fear destroys the believers ability to think, reason, apply doctrine under pressure, and advance in the circumstances of life.
PSA 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid, what can mere man do to me?
ISA 35:4 “Say to those with anxious heart, take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, and He will deliver you.”
DEU 20:1 When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.
NEH 4:14 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid; remember the Lord who is great and awesome,”
JOS 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
PSA 112:7 “He will not fear evil tidings or bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
JOB 41:25 When he raises himself up, the mighty fear; Because of the crashing they are bewildered.
GEN 32:9-12 - fear of Esau drove Jacob to humble himself and seek God.
LUK 8:50 - fear of his child dying drove a man to seek the Lord.
MAT 8:26 - fear drove the disciples to run to the Lord and wake Him up.
PSA 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.”
MAT 14:30 - Peter walked on water but he became afraid and began to sink, however fear also caused him to cry out “Lord save me.”
Fear is lack of trust and respect toward God.
ROM 14:23 and whatever is not from faith is sin.
HEB 13:5-6 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?”
Courage is the ability to think under pressure. Cowardice is the dominance of emotion under pressure.
Instead of trusting in the Lord to work in him a spirit of reconciliation, he undertook himself to propitiate or satisfy Esau.
In verses 3-8, he devised a plan to try to appease Esau.
In verses 9-12, he goes to God in prayer and asks for the Lord to help him.
In verses 13-20, he develops another plan and totally ignores his prayer toward God.
Robert R. McLaughlin All Rights Reserved 2002