"Fear Not" - 2010

We are entering the second decade of the 21st century. The first decade began with fears that all the computers would fail, plunging the world into chaos. This decade begins with the fear that our free nation is about to become socialistic. Alarming issues constantly present themselves to us believers; our response must always be to obey the simple command of Scripture, “fear not.” Moses spoke to the timid nation of Israel on the verge of moving into the land promised to their fathers: “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). That little command not to fear is always accompanied by reassuring words—a promise that God is there to help.

Fear comes when there is uncertainty of what lies ahead. Isaiah 35:4 exhorts the prophet; “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not!’” Our tendency is to magnify the uncertainty and embellish it with foreboding. We love the comfort and security of the familiar and predictable; we fear the unknown and uncontrollable.

It is interesting to note that Isaiah contains the largest number of “fear-nots.” These were spoken to a people who had forsaken the Lord and sinned in idolatry and rebellion. Isaiah was to prophesy to a people who would not listen and warn them that God was going to judge them by sending them into captivity by the Babylonians. It was a brutal experience, but at the same time God encouraged them with many comforting messages of His presence and grace. Every believer would be heartened to look at a concordance and read the many “fear-nots” in Scripture, particularly those in Isaiah, as we begin the new year.

As I look back, I am challenged with what the Lord has taught me about life—that it is not about me. It is really all about Him. The Lord works His will in every aspect of life, no matter how small a thing it may seem. He works everything for His glory. The experience may not make me particularly happy, but it will ultimately be for my good and His glory. That is all that really matters.

He does not work to make me wealthy and prosperous, as the prosperity gospel would claim. Neither does He work to smooth out all the wrinkles of my life to make me happy and blessed. Rather, life is filled with hardship, heartache, disappointment, failure, persecution, and every other way to spell difficulty. Being perplexed is not a sign of a lack of faith. What we do when we are perplexed does reveal faith or lack thereof. “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” (Isaiah 41:13). His plan for me is to trust Him fully and to know that He is there in the darkest of my days in order to be with me and fulfill His word to me. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).