Fear Not

There are many different versions of the Bible and it seems that each one while claiming to be of or from the same author, delivers a different message. That is, with the different ways in which each one is written, a different message or translation is delivered and while this is significant in determining the true message of God’s word, what is not questionable is that God does not want any of us to fear.

The exact number of times that scripture tells us to not fear may be debatable as there are different combinations and usage of words that may appear more or less than others but the message of Isaiah 41:10 is clear: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” God is with us wherever we go and does not desire us to fear or worry.

While most people understand the meaning of this passage, I do not believe most people understand the true nature of our God and this includes myself. As humans, we read the words “fear not” and know that they sound good but we do not take the true meaning of them to heart. It’s easier said than done and I get it as it’s human nature to worry especially when things are out of our hand but still, God desires us to not worry about anything and this is how God made us: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Christ brought forth a message of love and peace and understanding. As a human being, it’s only natural to worry about others especially those we love most and I find it difficult not to be fearful of whether they are going to spend eternity. There are family members that have passed on and I still wonder if they found the Promised Land or are in a place that is not desirable but I know that God is a fair judge and gives us all the same opportunities but the love part of our spirit still aches for those lost but it also makes us closer to our Lord: “The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23).

Because we are children of God (all of us), we know what He can do. We look around and observe His beauty through nature and all the wonders of this world so we know what He is capable of which is just another reason not to fear: “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee” (Isaiah 43:1-3).

Fear not and so forth are just words until we put our hope and faith in Christ then they become much more than words. They are then words to live by and a motto for us to pass onto others not because there is nothing to fear in this life but because we know and understand our Savior and all that He is capable of doing. When we know and understand our Lord then we accept Him and all that He is able to do including being with Him in prayer: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). When we do this we become living examples of Christ and all His glory and personally, there have been many accounts of the glory of Christ upon my life and understand perfectly what is meant to fear not because of the presence of our Lord: “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalms 34:4).

Christ brought forth a message of love and peace and understanding. As a human being, it’s only natural to worry about others especially those we love most and I find it difficult not to be fearful of whether they are going to spend eternity.”