This morning I asked God to speak through His word to us today—a right now word from Him as such a time as this. Over and over in scripture we are given the command “Do not be afraid”, “Do not fear”. Let us be encouraged by God’s Word today.
The LORD spoke to Abraham in Genesis 15:1: “…Fear not,: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
In Genesis 26: 24 the LORD appeared to Isaac and said: “I am the God of Abraham thy father; fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.”
In Joshua 1:9 the LORD spoke to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
In Jeremiah 1:8 the LORD spoke these words to Jeremiah: “Be not afraid of their faces; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.”
You will notice that all of the above scriptures were spoken by the LORD who is Jesus in His preincarnate appearing in the Old Testament.
Jesus continued to affirm His command to “Fear not” in the New Testament.
In Matthew 14:27 Jesus speaks these words to His disciples when He walked to them on the water: “Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.”
Jesus spoke to the multitude in Luke 12: 7: “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Jesus comforts His disciples at the Last Supper with them in John 14: 27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
After Jesus’ resurrection He said to His disciples in Matthew 28: 10: “Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.” Later in that same chapter Jesus gives His parting words to His disciples and to us today in verses 18-20: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even into the end of the world. Amen.”
All power in heaven and earth is given to Jesus! He is able to keep us—He is able to help us to complete the work He has given us to complete before His return! Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith and know that JESUS LOVES YOU for the Bible tells us so and He has prepared a special place for us with Him forever!