Do Not Fear

Do Not Fear (by David Peterson of the Rock Of Jesus Church)

Jesus had just been transfigured at the top of a high mountain before Peter, James, and John. God spoke to them from a cloud and they fell to the ground terrified. That was when Jesus came to them, touched them, and said “Get up, and do not be afraid” from Matthew 17:7. Jesus calmed these disciples and gave them peace by His words. Indeed, the concept of fear and our response is addressed in the bible hundreds of times with an overlap of terms such as fear not, be anxious for nothing, and do not fear. It is perhaps one of the most repeated commands in all of the Bible and yet the easiest to fail because we all have fear at times in our lives.

Reverend Billy Graham once stated: “Whatever the fears, encourage yourself to face them—and then turn them over to God. God loves you, and when we know Christ and have put our faith and trust in Him, we know He’ll never abandon us.” Graham’s words reassure us that our faith in God and His son Jesus Christ will protect us, and be with us, all of our days.

“O Thou who changest not, abide with me,” is a line from the hymn “Abide With Me”. Written in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte, who reminds readers that when things around us are unsettled, or we find ourselves in places of uncertainty and fear, God is with us. Here is the poignant 4th verse;

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless,

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Lyte writes that with God with us no enemies are feared, no burden is too heavy, and there are no tears that cannot be overcome.

Let us pray: Father God, your love provides for us and your promises are steadfast. Teach us to have faith in you and to seek you in times of fear and trepidation. Amen.