Do Not Be Afraid

Do Not Be Afraid

(Written by guest writer David Peterson)

Many scholars believe the Transfiguration of Jesus took place on Mount Hermon, not far from Galilee. Jesus took His inner circle—Peter, James, and John—up the mountain, where they witnessed His glory as He was transfigured before them. The disciples were terrified in the presence of God’s majesty.

Matthew records:

Matthew 17:7 (NASB 1995)

“And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, ‘Get up, and do not be afraid.’”

This moment is also found in Mark 9 and Luke 9. Jesus’ touch and His words reassured the disciples, quieting their fear.

Throughout Scripture, Jesus repeatedly reminds His people not to be afraid. The phrase “Do not be afraid” occurs many times in the Bible—around 44 times in the New Testament alone—reminding us that fear is answered by God’s presence and promises.

The writer Bob Deffinbaugh once observed:

“It is the grace of God that fallen men most detest. If lost men really thought that God is a harsh and cruel deity who deals severely with all who offend Him, they would cower in His presence, and they would do everything possible to avoid His wrath. Men do not fear God, however; they disdain Him. They interpret His grace as weakness and His delay of judgment as inability to achieve His purposes. Men who are sinners do not want to admit their own guilt and thus do not want to petition God for grace. They will have heaven on their own terms or not at all. Thus lost men will go to hell because they hate grace and will have none of it.”

Deffinbaugh draws out an important distinction: those who truly fear God do so out of reverence and respect. Those who reject Him and refuse to fear Him do so at their own peril.

The hymn writer Anna Richarde captured this truth beautifully in her song Be Not Afraid:

Refrain:

O, be not afraid, He is with thee,

Go bravely on thy way,

He giveth His strength to the weary,

O, be not afraid but watch and pray.

Prayer:

Father, we confess and repent of any fear that we have allowed to take root in our hearts. We surrender all our fears to You and ask for Your peace to fill our minds and hearts. Lord, cast out all fear from us, for Your Word says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Amen.