Genesis 35:17  “And it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.”  (KJV)

A midwife is bringing the “fear not” message to Rachael the beloved wife of Jacob.  Now the time was wwwwaaaaayyyyyyy before the day of Ultrasound, and she is predicting a son?  She must have known something no one else did.  Rachael died in childbirth but just before her death she delivered the 12th son of Jacob, the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel.  She brought the “fear not” message to a mother who undoubtedly sensed her life ebbing away and who no doubt feared for the life of her child more than her own.

Note to self:  Others may bring me a word, a reminder, not to fear.  See this as from the LORD.  Others can see what fear blinds me too.  Also, true for me–God can use me to remind others to not fear, to not give into doubt–IF I am available.  Are you afraid today?  Is there something you have prayed for desperately and God seems silent and you fear He will not answer?  Listen to His voice that may come in the disguise of another.

This is encouragement at its best.  Calming fears in face of death.  Just another reminder that God keeps His promises; for this baby boy was Benjamin and he was the grandson of Abraham.  From this nation would come the Messiah, our Jesus.  To Abraham the LORD promised to make him a nation and he has given him one son and twelve grandsons.

As I was driving to work, I got a text asking me if I ever doubted I was saved.  Here was fear crying out for reassurance.  When we doubt (the enemy’s favorite way to attack) fear is not far behind.  May we rise to the occasion and not be too busy to offer a word of encouragement, to ask questions that dig deep and reach out a hand to the one frantically flailing in deep water of doubt and fear.  Never know who you might be saving: a Billy Graham, a Vance Havner, a Chuck Swindoll, a D.L. Moody for the next generation.
May you find an extended heart and hand today to pull you out of the deep water and give you hope.

Blessings,

Yvonne