Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 5, 2022

“You are My servant, I have chosen you … Do not fear”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 42:26-38.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+42&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now it came about as they were emptying their sacks, that behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack;  and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed.  Their father Jacob said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children:  Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin;  all these things are against me.”  Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you;  put him in my care, and I will return him to you.”  But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you;  for his brother is dead, and he alone is left.  If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”  Genesis 42:35-38. 

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Jacob was fearful and said:  “If harm should befall him (Jacob’s son Benjamin) on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” Verse 38.  

We too may be fearful of different things that could happen.

Most importantly, we could be fearful of not being saved.  

Other doctrine has reason to fear, because it believes its salvation is dependent on its own works or at least its own will. 

But, Reformed Doctrine has no reason to fear, because it believes its salvation is based alone on God’s grace, God’s choice.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

More generally applicable to all fears, notice the highlighted reason in the concluding Scripture why we should not be fearful.

“8 “But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham My friend,
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you
and not rejected you.
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.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
14 “Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel;
I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:8-14.


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