Halloween - Pt 3

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 15:1 ESV). Whether you "celebrate" Halloween or not, this time of year everyone's attention tends towards the spooky, creepy, and scary. It is that time of the year when there are all kinds of things designed to give us a good scare. I’m not sure that’s particularly something I want in the context of being terrorized by ghosts, ghouls, or goblins. However, it does bring me to a wonderful chapter of Scripture. The entire chapter from which our reading comes is powerful story telling a key part of the life of Abraham. The chapter begins with the Lord telling Abraham with the same message God uses every time he reveals himself to man. He simply says, "Do not fear.” We see the Lord's encouragement to not fear. In his heartbreak, Abraham pours out his soul reminding the Lord of the promise to give him an heir. A promise as yet unfulfilled as he and his wife continue to grow old. God renews His promise to him, telling him that his descendants will be a numerous as the stars in the sky. Then this incredible declaration is made that Abraham "…believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness." Abraham's simple faith and belief in the Lord is the kind of thing that drives out fear. The Lord goes on to instruct Abraham to prepare a sacrifice. The offering on Abraham's part and acceptance of the offering on God's part would be the moment that God finally affirms this covenant. The Lord would forever be the God of Abraham and his descendants, and Abraham and his descendants would forever be God's people. In this powerful moment, this ratifying and recognizing of this great covenant of friendship, grace, and love, an interesting thing happens. God Himself showed up to validate the covenant, and with Him came fear. So what can we make of all this? Certainly, God does not want us to be "afraid" of Him. He does not want us to cower as if any moment He could eliminate our very existence. However, we should never take for granted His Godhood. He is powerful. He is mighty. Stars fall from His fingertips. He creates worlds with the words from His mouth. He alone holds all of life in His hands. It makes me reflect on the phrase "a good scare." Maybe a “good scare” wouldn’t be so bad after all! As you are answering the door this Halloween, distributing your candy to all the children dressed in the costumes that inevitably range from the cute and precious to the crass and terrifying, remember that we need fear no one and nothing. He holds us in his hand and NOTHING can separate us from his love which is centered in Jesus! Like Abraham, we have the eternal God and Father of us all as our shield!