And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, 8 thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.”
How often have you tossed and turned, and how many hours of sleep have you lost from fearing the worst and worrying about an impending “doom” that turned out to be nothing? How productive were you during the day as you acted on these fears and worries? I ask only so I know if I am the only one. Jacob heard that Esau, whom Jacob wronged, was coming and immediately pictured carnage and mayhem when all Esau wanted was to see his brother again. Jacob split his entourage and instantly became less productive and less effective as a leader.
This is a lesson for churches. If we have faith in the Lord for providing our needs to shepherd his flock, we will not fear any threat that comes along. If we operate under the thumb of fear, however, we will make decisions based on that fear, not spending money on evangelism and discipleship, lest we go broke when the next crisis occurs. Today, let us lead the church and our families as if the Lord is there with us to protect us. Because he is. Thank him for that today.
Dear Lord, thank you for the freedom to venture out in your name and the knowledge that you are with us. Help us to run on faith, not fear. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church