“Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”
– Genesis 46:3–4
God speaks these words to Jacob. He was very hesitant to go down to Egypt even after learning that Joseph was there. I mean, to move his family, to settle in Egypt brought all kinds of fear to Jacob which is what I love about this verse. God comes to him and says, “I am God, therefore you do not need to be afraid. I am going to go with you to Egypt and I’m going to bring you up out of Egypt.”
Genesis 46:3–4 Encourages Us in the Unknown
I read Genesis 46:3–4 and I think about when we make difficult decisions in our lives, when we step out into the unknown which we all do in different ways, not that any of us really knows anything about what the future holds, but when we make decision, we have to decide, am I going to go this way or that way? Am I going to lead my family this way or that way?
There’s all kinds of fear that can well up in us. But in the middle of that fear, to be able to look up and see God is with me and I don’t have any reason to be afraid. He will lead me. He will guide me as I seek him, as I trust in him, as I abide in his word, as I walk with him in prayer, as I fast, as I worship, as I walk with God, he will direct me.
Genesis 46:3–4 Gives Us Confidence to Approach the Lord
Oh, there is so much confidence found in the guiding presence of God, and so I want to encourage you with that today. I don’t know. I’m guessing some of you might be making major decisions in your life. Others of you might not now but you might in the future. Just know that God is God, that he is with you, that he is leading and guiding you as you are seeking him. Therefore, you never have reason to be afraid. Sure there’s all kinds of unknown.
This Verse Helps Direct Us to God
I was talking with somebody who’s making a move right now the other day. They’re just talking about all the unknowns in their life and their family and just what’s this going to be? What’s going to happen there? Oh, I get the questions like, yes, and there are so many unknowns but isn’t it good to know that God is God, that God will be with us, he will lead and guide and direct us? Therefore, there’s no reason to be afraid. When you know that, you can face all kinds of unknowns.
Genesis 46:3–4 Leads Us to Confess that God is God
We pray. God, thank you. Thank you for your leading, guiding good presence in our lives. We confess you are indeed God. You are not unknown. Lord, you are known. You have revealed yourself as the good, faithful, loving Father who leads us even into the unknown with your grace, with your wisdom, with your guidance so I pray in my own life, I pray for others, God, to help us not to fear.
This Verse Helps Us Never to Fear
God, help us never to fear. Help us to fear you but not any circumstances. Help us not to fear the unknown like what’s going to happen here or there? Lord, help us to seek you, your kingdom first and trust you will provide for us. You will lead us. You will grant us all that we need to know you, to glorify you wherever you lead us. We praise you for the humble confidence that is found in following you with no fear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical.
David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series.
Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
