Plan Four: Courageous FearSample

COURAGEOUS FEAR…COMPELLED ABRAHAM’S OBEDIENCE

Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah when Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 91. Fifteen years later, while living in southern Israel at a place Abraham named Beersheba, God again spoke to Abraham.

Sometime later, God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” Abraham replied, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

So, Abraham and Isaac traveled about 55 miles by foot from Beersheba to Mount Moriah. In obedience, Abraham prepared an altar, placed the wood on it, bound Isaac, and put him on the altar. As he was getting ready to slay his son, an angel appeared and said: “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Notice that the angel did not say, “Now I know that you will obey God.” Instead, he said, “Now I know that you fear God.” God is more concerned that we fear Him than obey Him, for one who truly fears the Lord will always obey Him. The proper fear of God is a fail-safe way to submit to Him, for someone who fears the Lord always acts on His instructions. The fear of the Lord, instilled in us through the power of the Holy Spirit, is at the root of true and continuous obedience.

Where you see the fear of the Lord, you will also find obedience to His Word. Notice this passage from Isaiah, “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?” and from Ecclesiastes, “here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments.” Having fear and reverence for God is first, then obedience follows. Obedience is not such a struggle for those who fear and love God because obedience is a natural response.