Fear Not

No Fear in Love!

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There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 1 John 4:18

Have you ever stopped to wonder what you are afraid of? I know I do more often than I would like. I am afraid of Dentists, flying, death and decisions. I am afraid of losing loved ones and I am afraid of being alone when they are gone. Of course none of these are reasonable fears at all by the Bible’s standards. I am just saying these are my own battles.

The Bible also tells us to pray about everything so as I was praying about my fears, God spoke to my heart with a question this morning. “Are you afraid to pray?” As I thought about that the absurdity of it hit me in the face. If I was afraid to pray then I wouldn’t be praying! And I am not afraid to pray because I remember that Jesus taught me to begin praying with the words, “Our Father.” So why would God listen to my prayer? Why would He be willing to allow me (Or anyone else) come to Him with my problems, needs and desires?

The answer is wrapped up in the mystery of the God of love and the love of God! If that very same God of love who sent Jesus to teach us to pray is interested in listening to me; how much more because of the cross of Jesus Christ will He be ready to receive me when one day we stand before His throne?

Be blessed! Have a great prayer time with your Father today. We can live without fear because when we come to Him – He will cast out all we are afraid of and replace it with His perfect love!

 

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150 Fear Nots

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Some of our dearest friends at times pooh-pooh our fears. They insist we are silly, unreasonable or wrong-headed by the things that make us lie awake at night. But did you know that in the Bible God takes our fears very seriously? In fact God lovingly and patiently tells us 150 times in the Bible. “Fear not!” – or in some translations – “Don’t be Afraid!” Rather than lecturing s about our fault God offers us a promise, a reminder and a solution.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

He has promised to be with us. He doesn’t tell us like the doctor, “Take three of these, drink lots of water and call me tomorrow.” No God promises to constantly remain at our side. He is there through the sleepless nights and He keeps us close especially when we are afraid. Then God reminds us that not only will He be with us but that He will strengthen us.  He isn’t simply hanging around. He will pour out on us the oil and wine of His presence when we have been wounded and carried us when we can’t go on. Last of all our God is a very practical God. When the apostle Peter tried walking out on the water toward Jesus we are told that he became afraid and started to sink. I am so glad that Jesus didn’t just stand there with his arms folded saying, “Come on Peter you can do it!”

No! We are told that as Peter began to sink Jesus immediately reached down and took his hand. I am so glad that on days when I feel I am sinking out of sight that His solution is not a lecture but a strong right hand that will hold me and help me to walk into this New Year with Him with all 150 “Fear Nots”!

 

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On a Donkey!

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 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming,Sitting on a donkey’s colt  John 12:14-15

The fact that Jesus chose the most humble animal to ride gives me hope today. I am not powerful, wealthy or amazingly smart. I am just an ordinary person in an ordinary neighborhood with common everyday problems. Why would God, the universe creator, the King of Glory, the awesome, glorious and Holy ruler of all life be accessible to me? Why would I dare even think I could bring my needs for daily bread and forgiveness for my mean-spirited sins to him?

Because according to scripture our king is coming, but not to harshly conquer us who by nature are His enemies. He is coming not to imprison us and cast us into prison or worse. He is coming humbly to take His throne and righteously rule over the life of anyone who will welcome Him into their gates. He knows we are afraid but He is not angry. He understands the feelings of our infirmities and He has shared inimage our weaknesses. He has been through every temptation we have faced, yet without sin. He has tasted death for every man and woman who has ever lived. He is coming, according to the Father’s plan, to be our king, seated on a donkey, so we will not be afraid. Today is the day to greet our king with palm branches along the path He is coming to our city and He has chosen to give His life for us again today!