Fear Not

“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

Recently I came across the above Scripture, and it really grabbed my attention, especially since these unstable times have caused so many people to be extremely fearful.

I am not talking about the reverential “fear of the Lord,” which is a whole different and necessary kind of fear. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” I’m talking about the kind of fear defined in Webster’s Dictionary as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; something that causes fright or apprehension; to be worried or afraid. This kind of fear can derail and paralyze us. This kind of fear is not of the Lord, but is a temptation that our enemy, Satan, uses to discourage and cripple us.

Since fear is a natural, human emotion, God repeatedly reminds us NOT to fear. For example in the NKJV, “Fear not” is used 309 times; “Do not be afraid” is used 286 times. He also tells us not to worry or be anxious for anything. Of course, we should have concern at times or be wise and cautious about certain things, but 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us,“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

There are many things in this world that will cause fear or tempt us to be paralyzed by fear. God does not want us to be afraid of what man can do to us, for “the fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25). “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11). “So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:6).

We don’t have to be fearful because our all-powerful, loving God, the Great I AM, is constantly with (in) us to help us, to strengthen us, to fight our battles, and to keep us from evil. He is sovereign and always has been in full control of all that is happening in our world.

Romans 8:38, 39 assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God no matter what we may have to suffer through in this life on earth.

“What can we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Lord, Your Word is true, and I am so thankful that You love us, are for us, and will never forsake us! Help us to replace our fear with faith in You. Amen.