By Jess Phinney
Here we sit slightly confused that the very person who reacted in fear, is the very person that God uses as our example to not be frightened by sudden fear. What is that all about? Isn’t that exactly how our LORD functions with His children-through redemption? That in our greatest weakness, actually lies our greatest strength- through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us (Gal 2:16)! We see this with Sarah not only in 1 Peter 3:6, but also in Hebrews 11:11 where the absence of Sarah’s fear became her greatest asset, belief and faith in the One who had promised. Not only is she the mother to “as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMBERABLE AS SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE” (Heb 11:12), but she was a wonderful example of a woman who understood she was created to be Abraham’s helpmeet. She didn’t have a separate vision or focus that made her feel “fulfilled”, rather she embraced Abraham’s calling as the head of their home (Eph. 5:23) and followed God’s leading through male leadership (Gen 11:31, 12:5, 12:11-20, 13:1, 13:12). She obviously was a courageous women picking up her home time after time not knowing where she was going, or what foreign land her husband (through the instruction of the Lord) was leading her to next (Heb 11:8-9). There is no record of her showing fear in these instances, and I for one, find that amazing! If we go to the beginning of verse 6 we find not only was Sarah not frightened by fear, but she is commended for her respectful behavior, “thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord…” This portion of the verse is the one that probably rubs our flesh just a touch, and yet it is used as an example as how we should be! No matter what you think about the term “lord” now, it was in fact, a title used with a person who had “general authority over someone” through the ages. Sarah used it out of obedience to the head of her home, who indeed had biblical, God-given authority over her. She was chaste and respectful in her submission.
As women we all know how difficult it is to have a heart that is truly chaste and respectful in our behavior, but I do believe the Lord intended this for a purpose. He knew that we wouldn’t be able to submit with the right motive, without the power of the Holy Spirit doing it through us. This is something that we can’t achieve in our own strength, and if you have it is as filthy rags to the Lord and is sadly just a replica of the real thing. Every aspect of our flesh is nasty. However, I think this is the area Satan will target most in our lives, because he knows the power it has to destroy men, homes, and ultimately the design of God which attacks the purity of the gospel. Mission accomplished: distorted truth. Just enough to make us feel successful, accepted by the world, and like we still are fulfilling some biblical mandates. Do we realize this is the deadliest place to be? Combining our worldly influences (culture) with God’s Word, it’s like a slow poison. We don’t realize its affects until it is has run its course. That is only if we haven’t become so desensitized to its affects, that it kills our spiritual effectiveness, leaving us as pawns for the enemy to continue to destroy the generations. Is this what we want-as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and above all as the Bride of Christ? I would much rather God glory over me with words such as, “You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, ‘Forsaken’, Nor to your land will it any longer be, ‘Desolate ‘, but you will be called, ‘My delight is in her,’ And your land, ‘Married;’ For the LORD delights in you, and to Him your land will be married.” ~Isaiah 62:3-4. Does this sound like a daughter ruled by fear? I think not!
It is time to bend the knee in repentance for the way we have let culture mold and shape us into the women we have become, rather than letting God’s Word be our standard. This choice will not be well embraced by the majority, not even in your Christian sphere. But are you willing to kneel with a humble heart (Is. 66:2), so that you can stand as a living testimony of biblical womanhood? The only way to get there is to let our Maker give our hearts a makeover replacing fear with faith, insecurity with Christ’s confidence living through us, and our “be all I can be” attitude with ”I will be what You designed me to be” heart. He can heal us. I don’t think you heard me. Beloved sister, HE CAN HEAL YOU! Let’s start right now. Here is an amazing prayer that touched my heart while reading “So Long Insecurity”, by Beth Moore. Take the time to go away to your prayer closet, prepare your heart, and ask the Lord to deal with your fear so we can truly become a daughter of Sarah. It won’t just change your life, but you can change the course of a generation, from your surrender and obedience. It won’t be an easy path beloved, but you don’t have to fulfill it…Christ can and will if you let Him (Heb 2:14-15). Day by day we make the choice, we pray like we have never prayed before, and we recognize we need Him for EVERYTHING. We are nothing without Him but disrespectful, insecure, fear driven women. Let’s trade our lives of fear for the freedom our hearts long for, it may be a lifetime process, but He is worth it. Beloved, remember I am walking this journey with you, fighting the same battles, and that I too long to be “what He designed me to be.” I love you.
My Father in Heaven,
I thank You for the breath this day to give You praise.
I thank You for a life where nothing is wasted,
a life where pain turns into purpose and Your providence
assigns a personal destiny.
You will never allow anything in my path
that cannot bring You or me and those around me good.
No matter what this day holds,
I am clothed with strength and dignity.
I have divine strength to overcome every obstacle
and all oppression
because I belong to Jesus Christ, and His Spirit lives within me.
You, Lord, are my security.
No one and nothing can take You from me.
You will keep my foot from being caught in a trap.
I choose to turn my back on fear because You are right here
with me.
I can smile over the days to come because Your plan for me
is good and right.
My heart is steadfast, trusting in You, Lord.
In the end, I will look in triumph on my foes.
Because of You,
I, ____________________, am secure.
In Jesus’ triumphant name,
Amen.
Psalm 112:7-8 (Place your name in verse)
“_______will not fear evil tidings; _______ heart is steadfast trusting in the LORD
_______ heart is upheld, _______ will not fear, until _______looks with satisfaction on _______ adversaries.”
