#69 Fear Falling Genesis 26

So Isaac settled in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, "she is my sister," for he feared to say, "my wife," thinking, "lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah," because she was attractive in appearance. When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah his wife. So Abimelech called Isaac and said, "behold she is your wife. How then could you say, 'she is my sister'?" Isaac said to him, "because I thought, 'lest I die because of her.' " Abimelech said, "what is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us." So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, "whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death." Genesis 26: 6-11 ESV

Like father, like son. Sin is so easily passed down, whereas the relationship with God must be established each time. He has spoken to Isaac and given him the same covenant He had with Abraham. Isaac will have the same fear and doubt that his father had, that anyone would have, in a land where people kill you because your wife is attractive. 

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Proverbs 29:25 ESV

It is a difficult thing. I tell my children to tell the truth without regard to the possible outcome. In the case of wrong doing it only compounds it to lie, and the ability to trust diminishes. I have let fear decide for me on so many occasions that the choice of it has caused missed opportunities and damaged relationships. There is the fear that comes with ego, the fear of pain, of life and loss. We can be so afraid of embarrassment or the judgment of others that we stay silent or project an image that will please them. It is funny, she is my sister in this instance is for preservation of life. I have said, "she is just my friend", for fear of hurt. It is the path of least resistance, the path that doesn't give another the power or motive to crush you. It is not trusting God.

"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father." Matthew 10: 26-29 ESV

God, help me to not be ruled by fear, and help me to share your word without hesitation or watering down. I trust Your Spirit to perform your will. Tell the truth; its not a bad habit.