Do Not Fear

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Do you know what one of the most common commands in the Bible is? DO NOT FEAR. This command occurs over 250 times throughout the old and new testaments. Pretty amazing how we are constantly told not to fear in this life and world filled with so much sin and depravity. But we, as children of the Almighty God, are to be filled with courage. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears in not made perfect in love." (I John 4:18) Jesus is love. He is the light of the world (John 9:5). We who believe in him will have eternal life (John 3:16). We are made perfect through Him. Second Timothy says "for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline" (1:7). So we are to go forth being bold and understanding that God has empowered us to live confidently and love righteously until the day of the Lord's return. It is our charge to reveal Christ in ourselves for we are made to be courageous for Him, always understanding "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Phil 2:13) Ray Stedman writes "This is why the Spirit-led Christian can fall into a cesspool of circumstances and come up smelling like a rose. Disappointments make him better, not bitter. Heartaches become sources of joy. Hard circumstances produce in him the choicest of virtues. The weaker he feels, the more impact his life has on others. He becomes sweeter, mellower, filled with an inner beauty." (The Queen and I) So remember, we have no reason to fear, for fear is of this world. The Lord our God has provided us with boldness and courage so that we may be faithful to Him while on earth and live in the glory of His presence for eternity.