IS FEAR KEEPING ME FROM GOD’S PROVISION?

JEREMIAH 43:1-4: “When Jeremiah had finished giving this message from the LORD their God to all the people, Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The LORD our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonians or be carried off into exile.” So Johanan and the other military leaders and all the people refused to obey the LORD’s command to stay in Judah.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Is fear keeping me from God’s provision? Fear is the opposite of faith. Faith calls us to trust in the Lord and rest on His promises. Fear pushes us to rush God’s timetable and take matters into our own hands. Faith rests. Fear drives.

Am I resting in the Lord or being driven by my fears?

The context of these verses in the book of Jeremiah is the wrestling of the remnant that was left in Judah to till the land and care for it after Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylon army had completely defeated Judah, burned its walls and Temple, and carried the majority of the people in captivity back to Babylon.

They set up a man named Gedaliah as the governor of the territory. Many of the Jews who lived in surrounding regions, who had escaped captivity, began to return to Jerusalem to gather under the rule of Gedaliah. There were many of the poor of the land who were part of this group, along with a few of the former military leaders and also some unsavory characters.

One such character was a man named Ishmael. He secretly plotted to kill Gedaliah. Some of the military leaders became aware of this plot and warned Gedaliah. Gedaliah, wanting to believe the best of all those who had been through so much and had gathered together for mere survival, refused to believe this conspiracy. Yet, the conspiracy was true and Gedaliah was assassinated.

Ishmael and his men went on a killing spree. Yet, when the military rulers who remained learned about it they gathered together and drove Ishmael and his men away from Judah. They found themselves in a very precarious situation. Gedaliah the governor was dead. The Babylonian officials around Gedaliah were also dead. Ishmael and his men had escaped into the land of Ammon. Now, the remnant was left with a great mess and the fear that when Nebuchadnezzar learned of the situation they would be destroyed.

They found themselves at the crossroads of faith and fear.

Faith moved them to inquire of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet. Jeremiah sought the Lord for 10 days to hear from God. The leaders and the people promised they would obey the Lord whether they agreed with what He said or not.

“Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD your God be a faithful witness against us if we refuse to obey whatever he tells us to do! Whether we like it or not, we will obey the LORD our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.” Ten days later the LORD gave his reply to Jeremiah.” (Jeremiah 42:5-7)

Their outward confession was that of faith.

Their inward conviction was one of fear.

Jeremiah proclaimed the word of the Lord to the remnant.

“Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry about all the punishment I have had to bring upon you. Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,’ says the LORD. ‘For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power”(Jeremiah 42:10-11)

Faith called them to stay in the land and trust the Lord would work things out with the King of Babylon. Fear pushed them to flee to Egypt. Faith called them to trust in the promise of God. Fear pushed them to rely on their own understanding and the conventional wisdom of the day. Faith came out of their mouths but fear ruled and dictated their hearts.

They chose fear – fled to Egypt – only to face additional needless suffering and death!

Jesus sternly warned us – “The thief comes but to kill, steal, and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly!” (John 10:10) All of our life is a choice between faith and fear. Faith calls us to remain in the sheepfold and trust our Good Shepherd. Fear pushes us to run in the direction we think will bring us life and fulfillment only to find our true desires being killed, stolen, and destroyed.

Faith leads us to green pastures, still waters, and the restoring of our souls.

Fear drives us past these provisions of God to the mirage of greener pastures and quick-fix solutions.

Jeremiah had to wait 10 days until he received the Word of the Lord. I don’t even want to wait 5 minutes. If I don’t receive the answer I want my brain immediately begins crafting Plan B. I get out my map and begin to plot a course back to Egypt. I dismiss the long route, the call to be still and wait upon the Lord, as inaction and a lack of faith.

Yet, the true lack of faith is in my refusal to wait upon Him!

There is a fine line between fear and faith!

Lord, this morning I desire to choose faith. Grant me the grace to turn away from my fears. Keep me back from impetuous sin. Help me to trust Your perfect will for my life, Your timing, and Your open doors. I lay all my abilities, ingenuity, creativity, and everything I tend to run to when I am afraid and choose to kneel at Your cross and listen for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit saying,

“Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”(Isaiah 30:20-21)

In Jesus’ Name!