Kevin V. Cox
You have likely heard that there are 365 “fear nots” in the Bible – one for every day of the year. Though I have never counted them and am not sure God intended one for every day of the year, I am smart enough to perceive that He had good reason to instruct us to refuse to live in fear.
There has always been reason to fear, from a human viewpoint, in every generation. But since we live in the 21st century, let’s just take a look at a few of the things that plague us in the here and now. News reports of mass murders in our own country are becoming common place, to the point of not remaining in the news as long as such things used to remain. That could also be said of natural disasters. No one wants to hear the word “cancer” from their doctor, but it seems no one is far removed from someone who has heard it. Also, on everyone’s mind is the shaky condition of our economy. And if none of those have personally touched our lives, the shaky condition of our great country has the potential to greatly affect us all.
From a human standpoint, we all have reason to fear. Yet God says to His people, “Fear not.” Whether the command was given in the Old Testament or New, the recipients had reason to fear. However, God gave them far stronger reason not to fear.
To Abraham He said, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1) Another time He said, “Fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee…” (Genesis 26:24)
Through Moses God told His people, “Fear not… for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Elisha instructed his servant in 2 Kings 6:16, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” Those words apply to all who are on the Lord’s side!
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