Fear Not!

During these times of uncertainty there are many places in the Scriptures that we can find encouragement. I hope you find the following examples of God’s protection useful for such a time as this. 


The Bronze Serpent: Numbers - Chapter 21
As the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness they became discouraged and spoke against God and Moses. They complained about their condition since leaving Egypt. The Lord sent poisonous snakes among them and many people died. After they repented for their attitudes, the Lord told Moses to make a bronze serpent on a pole. If anyone looked upon the bronze serpent, as Moses held it up, they would not be harmed. In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus refers to this event and applies it to Himself . . . ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.’  - John 3:14-15 

Imagery of the bronze serpent on a pole is very prevalent in our society today. Most hospitals, firetrucks and ambulances have it displayed. In the same way that the Israelites were instructed to keep their eyes on the bronze serpent, we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and what He did on the cross. He died for us, rose from the dead and grants everlasting life to all who believe - opening the door to Heaven and providing a way to escape the torment of a place prepared for those who have rejected Him.

Passover: Exodus - Chapter 12 
The children of Israel were being held captive by the Egyptians. In their suffering and cries for help, God sent Moses. After multiple plagues were brought against the Egyptians, Pharaoh remained determined to hold the Hebrews captive, which set the stage for Passover. The Lord gave instructions for every man to take for his household a lamb without blemish. At a set time, they were to kill their lamb and sprinkle blood on the two doorpost and the lintel of their houses. That night, the Lord passed through the land of Egypt and struck  down all the firstborn of the Egyptians. Houses marked with blood from the lamb were passed over by the Lord, with no harm coming to those who remained inside.  
 
The apostle Paul, in 1Corintians 5:7, identifies Christ as our Passover who was sacrificed for us. Just as the children of Israel were held in bondage and needed to be set free, all of mankind is bound by the chains of sin and is in need of deliverance. Jesus came as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Being perfect and without blemish He shed His blood for us. Rising from the dead, on the third day, so that whoever believes in Him will be seen and accepted as righteous by God.

From the Passover we also get a very interesting visual. Notice how the blood is applied to the top of the door frame and then to the far right and the far left as well.  This is a picture of the coming Messiah, Jesus, who bled from His head and His outstretched hands, one to the left and the other to the right. The blood of the lamb was applied to the doorpost as a sign marking those to be protected. The blood of Jesus brings freedom and protection for those who remain in Him.

Psalm 91 
Psalm 91 is a great prayer to pray over your family. Here’s a version that’s been personalized.

Psalm 91 (Personalized)
 
We shall dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. We will say of the Lord, “He is our refuge and our fortress; Our God, in Him we will trust.” Surely He shall deliver us from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover us with His feathers, and under His wings we shall take refuge;
His truth shall be our shield and buckler. We shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at our side, And ten thousand at our right hand; But it shall not come near us. Only with our eyes shall we look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because we have made the Lord, who is our refuge, Even the Most High, our dwelling place, No evil shall befall us, Nor shall any plague come near our dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over us, To keep us in all our ways. In their hands they shall bear us up, Lest we dash our foot against a stone. We shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent we shall trample underfoot. “Because we have set our love upon Him, therefore He will deliver us; He will set us on high, because we have known His name. We shall call upon Him, and He will answer us; He will be with us in trouble; He will deliver us and honor us. With long life He will satisfy us, And show us His salvation.”

Let us call on the Lord for He is our Help!