Fear not

Isaiah 35:4, "Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come . . ."

John 14:27, " . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Joshua 1:9, " . . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Matthew 6:33, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself . . ."

Isaiah 43:1, "But now, this is what the LORD says -- he who created you . . ."Do not fear . . ."

Psalm 34:4, "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them . . ."


Time after time after time God tells us not to fear. He tells Israel. He tells Joshua. He tells his disciples. He tells me. He tells you.

Do. Not. Fear. 


This isn't a harsh command like that from a commanding officer trying to whip some rookie recruits into line.

This isn't a mocking retort from an older sibling that thinks you're being "a baby."

Not a patronizing order from a coach lacking any compassion.

Not a selfish mandate from a supervisor that you are making look bad.

This isn't a rebuke to get your emotions in check or a warning against sin.

It's not even a pep talk.

This is a gentle and unshakeable reminder. 


This is God, reminding us who He is, and redirecting our gaze. 

 We don't need to fear, because He's got this. We don't have to.

He created this world, we just live here.

He knows what each day holds. We don't even know what will happen tonight.

He has control over nature. Over people. Over powers. Over illness. Over life. Over death. Over all.

We can choose courage over fear, strength over cowering, boldness over hiding because the awesome, all-powerful God of the universe said so.