Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! I trust that you had a great weekend and Monday…and got a good start to a new week! It was ‘really good’ around here – right from Sunday worship to Monday noon-hour prayer …”Cry For The City” to Monday evening …Connections Bible Study. I know that life is full of activities of all sorts and commitments and errands and the list goes on…so, today I will be praying for you, asking Father to give you wisdom in sorting priorities, time to touch people’s heart, and experiences of joy & peace.
It seems that Arnold Toynbe was right…”History teaches us that man does not learn from his mistakes” as there is is just as much, if not more: unrest, agitation, distress, emptiness, and fear – in our world today. I have been told that there are some 366 verses in the Bible that tell the reader to “fear not”…and I have recently discovered that that statistic is true, at least in a literal sense. There are in fact 103 verses that tell us..”fear not…”, but there are many more verses that phrase it…”because God _______ I won’t be afraid, or I won’t fear.
However, I came across two very interesting and encouraging verses that I want to share with you and let you ponder. First: When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4 NIV. So, if I believe this verse – which I do – then every day I can ‘not be afraid’ or when there is something very specific challenging me, I can read the verse this way: When I am afraid (of a doctor’s appointment or whatever I want to put in the blank) , I will trust in you… so that means I can have a “fear not” at least for every day and if life gets really complicated I can have more than one “fear not” on any particular day. Now ponder that for a moment or two.
Second: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed (different sort of fear), for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help (not take fear away); I will uphold you with my righteous right hand(not take fear away). Isaiah 41:10 NIV. I think that we weren’t told the whole truth in the past. The Bible does not say that our “fears” will be taken away…but in those moments of unrest, agitation, emptiness, and fear we would be strengthened and upheld to face all that “stuff” with courage.
These verses and ideas are of great importance to me as I read the history of the birth of Christ – the first Christmas. At least twice, Joseph, was told not to be afraid but to move forward. Mary was told not to be afraid. Zechariah was told not to be afraid. The shepherds were told not to be afraid. I have a belief that the wisemen were told not to be afraid. I have a further belief that Mary held the baby Jesus and hushed his crying by saying…”Don’t be afraid-it is going to be okay, God-your Father will give strength and stand beside us.” And, I believe that God had told Simeon and Anna…”Don’t be afraid…Messiah is coming!”
If there is such richness in the words of the Bible, then I believe that this truth is for me…and for you…and for anyone who will listen and believe. We will live in a fear-filled world and face challenges that will attempt to create fear within us…but God has spoken. There is a “fear not” or a “do not be afraid” – for I am with you, I will strengthen, I will uphold you, I will walk beside you…for every day of our lives and every scary situation we face. The Bible declares – “God reigns!”
Be blessed!