The words fear not ” remind us not to be afraid. Usually, they are accompanied by a reason you should not be afraid. If I am in a situation where I am afraid, just the words fear not would offer little comfort. It also depends on who is telling me not to be afraid. The words alone would not change how I feel, but the trust I have in the one telling me would make the difference.
In the Bible, there are 144 verses that teach us not to fear. If we want to be without fear to do God’s will, we must get to know the One who protects, provides, and sanctifies those who are His. We must trust someone if we are to allow their words of “fear not” to bring calmness to our souls. Trust is built on knowledge; therefore, if we want to trust God, especially when we don’t understand, we must know Him. First, we must trust Him for our salvation. Then we must study to know His attributes and character traits. Knowing someone either builds trust or tears it down. Knowing Christ will always build trust. As we see Him working in our lives and how He worked in the lives of biblical characters, we should have no fear.
In Luke 1:26-35, we see Mary listening to an angel sent by God to tell her that she will conceive a baby placed in her womb by the Holy Spirit. This baby would be the Messiah all of Israel had heard about and waited for. She was puzzled because she was engaged to Joseph, and she knew she had never been with him or any other man physically. When the announcement came, she must have been fearful because in the middle of the announcement, the angel tells Mary to “fear not.” The reason she did not need to be afraid was because of her unwavering faith that she already had before her encounter with the angel. She knew from her past experiences that she could trust God’s plan. God also knew He could trust her to obey!
Luke 1:30 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.”
In Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph had a very similar encounter with an angel. The angel came to him in a dream. While Joseph loved Mary very much, the news of her pregnancy was painful and confusing to him. Yet, he made up his mind not to disgrace her in public but would privately divorce her. God knew the anguish he was in and sent an angel to convince Joseph that this was God’s plan. He obeyed and gained the privilege of being the earthly father to the Messiah.
Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
God chose to tell Mary and Joseph not to fear. They had been taught and practiced obedience long before this opportunity arose. The life they lived before the event prepared them for the event. The same is true for us. We must obey in the little things so that our trust and confidence in the Lord are ready for the big things.
In each of our lives, the big things will come. We will have times when we do not understand what God is doing. If we have prepared our hearts, it will not be a problem to trust God and move forward, but if we are not faithful in the little things, we will waffle back and forth on how to proceed. People who do not know enough about God’s grace, His sovereignty, His love, and His holiness will have issues with trust. They will get angry with God, sink into depression, or vault over to trying to manipulate and take control of the situation. They may even try to bargain with God. If He will answer their prayers they will be obedient. God says Fear not.
In Exodus 14:13, God was directing the Israelites to cross the Red Sea to escape their Egyptian slavery. Moses, their leader appointed by God, told them not to fear. They were to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Because they trusted God, they stepped into the water, and God told them they would see this enemy no more. He assures them in verse 14 that He will fight for them. All they have to do is fear not and obey.
Exodus 14:13-14 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
In Luke 8:49, a ruler of the synagogue’s house came to Jesus because his daughter was dead. The naysayers told him to leave Jesus alone because the girl was dead. In other words, it’s done, do not bother Jesus. When Jesus heard them, He assured the man by saying, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”
Luke 8:49-50 “While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”
In Deuteronomy 31:6, Moses is addressing the Israelites for the last time. He is commissioning Joshua to be their leader, and God gives him these words. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” In Hebrews 13:8, Jesus is the same all the time; therefore, this command to fear not is for us as well. Live in obedience, love like Jesus, and trust Him. When uncertainties come, fear not!
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
