Reasons not to be afraid
An author made a list recently of why people live in so much fear today. At the top of his list is the hysterical nature of the news reported by the media. In fact, fear is the predominant emotion of our day.
Throughout the Bible, God tells his people: “Do not be afraid.” He gives us so many reasons. Check out these:
God reigns sovereign
Time after time the saints declare: “The Lord is on my side; I am not afraid. What can people do to me?” Psalm 118.6; Hebrews 13.6. Whoever fears God does not fear man, Matthew 10.26-31. God’s people receive the Kingdom from him, which includes full participation in his glories and powers, Luke 6.20; 12.32. His Kingdom is “unshakable” Hebrews 12.28. We sing with the apocalyptic voice: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the All-Powerful, reigns” Revelation 19.6.
Jesus saves completely
So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7.25.
His sacrifice is able to “put away” sin, Hebrews 9.26. His blood cleanses us from all sin, 1 John 1.7. His presence guarantees success, Matthew 28.18-20. God “gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 15.57.
The Holy Spirit strengthens
Through him, we have all the strength needed to resist evil. The chapter on the Spirit, Romans 8, ends with the declaration that no one can separate us from the love of God. “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Timothy 1.7. The power we have from the Spirit gives us confidence, Romans 15.13.
No one can rob you of what is essential
No one can destroy the soul, Matthew 10.28. If the Lord is with us, we are protected and the question is rhetorical: “What can men do to me?” The devil made Job lose everything, but he still maintained his integrity and his relationship with God, Job 2.9-10.
Final judgment is coming
Only in Heaven does righteousness dwell, 2 Peter 3.13. We shouldn’t wait for it here on earth. In the end, God will settle accounts, Hebrews 4.13. He judges with justice, Psalm 98.9; Matthew 12.36; Acts 24.25; Hebrews 9.27; 10.27. On the day of judgment we will have confidence, “because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world” 1 John 4.17. With this in mind, we encourage each other in our meetings, Hebrews 10.25-26.
Make these reasons yours
Have you already entered the Kingdom of God? Have you obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you found the confidence and hope that we receive with faith? There is no reason to live in fear. Anyone who walks with God can say:
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me. Psalm 23.4.
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