A Bundle of Nerves

Today’s Verse:

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. ~Genesis 15:1

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Have you ever been at the place in life where you felt like a bundle of nerves? This is a way of saying that you are very nervous and anxious about your situation in life. It is a way of describing being anxious, nervous, and fearful. Abraham had just soundly defeated five Canaanite kings with his few, but well-organized, militia of household servants. The king of Sodom demanded that Abraham make a trade with him. Abraham took a strong stand against these pagan kings. As things settled down, he became nervous and anxious about the possibility of these kings attacking him and his family. He was overcome with thoughts of defeat and death. He was at the place in life most of us will be at one time or another. He was overcome with anxiety and fear, and was not sure what to do. It is at that critical moment that God gave him a surefire remedy for anxiety. Let us see the remedy for when you are a bundle of nerves.

We must have faith in God’s Precepts.

“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying…” Abraham had been called out to be a pilgrim of faith. God called him out of the pagan lifestyle of his father’s household, and told him to go into a country he knew nothing about. From the very outset of his calling, Abraham had faith in God’s precepts. While he was filled with anxiety and fear, he turned to the precepts of God, and the word of the Lord came unto him. His Precepts come to us punctually; God is never late in His Word! His Precepts come to us personally: His Word is specific to our situation. His Precepts come to us positively: it was the light to his feet and a lamp for his path. When you’re a bundle of nerves, look to God’s Precepts!

We must have faith in God’s protection.

“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield…” Abraham needed to hear that God was his protection. God said He would be his shield. A shield is an excellent defense mechanism. A shield deflects the arrows and spears. A shield protects us from our weaknesses. A shield gives a hiding place. The shield of faith quenches the fiery darts of the evil one. He protects us from the arrow that flieth by day and the terror that cometh by night. His truth is our shield and buckler. Abraham had faith that God would be his shield and strong tower against the wicked enemies he dwelt amongst. When you’re a bundle of nerves, look to God alone for your protection.

We must have faith in God’s promises.

God said that He would be Abraham’s exceeding great reward. This spoke of things still to come. There was the promise of a miracle son. There was promise of a mighty society. There was the promise of much soil. God promises are our exceeding great reward! “For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek him,” Heb. 11:6b. Embedded within God’s promises are His presence and power. When you are a bundle of nerves, look to God’s promises!

We must have faith in God’s performance.

God gave Abraham the Abrahamic covenant later in Gen. 15. God did a “cutting of the covenant” in vs. 12-21. Abraham saw a smoking furnace and a burning lamp. God assured Abraham that there would be trials of affliction, but with this the clear leading of the Lord from His Word. God was telling Abraham that he could trust God to do what He said He would do. As we read of Abraham’s walk of faith, God did what He said He would do! When you’re a bundle of nerves, look to God to perform.

Don’t come apart at the seams! When you are anxious and nervous, have faith in God and His Word for your life!

Have a confident God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 74-77

#Anxiety #Fear #Genesis