Do Not Be Afraid, The Lord Is With You

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Happy February, Beloved! I hope you are having a blessed week. I was going to write something to go along with Valentine’s Day, but have been compelled to write about this topic instead. Lately, I’ve been hearing so many reports about freak accidents, natural disasters, and new diseases. We all know there are many dangers lurking in this fallen world, but it seems like we are more aware now than ever. Constantly, we are reminded how fragile life is and that there is no shortage of things to worry about – our loved ones, our jobs, our possessions – and it’s easy to get caught up in the hysteria of the world. Satan is working overtime to fill us with anxiety and fear.

This is a dangerous world, but the Lord says, Do not be afraid! In fact, “Fear not,” is the most repeated command in the bible. Over and over again, the Lord reminds us not to fear. Why is that? It’s because fear is the enemy of faith. In Hebrews 11:1, it says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The dictionary defines it as, “complete trust and confidence in someone or something”. If we have the assurance, trust, and confidence that God will be true to his word and follow through on his promises, how can we be afraid? And if we are afraid, how can we have faith? The bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

So, what does God promise us about protection in this world? Isaiah 43:1 says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me.” (Isaiah 54:17)

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7)

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” (Psalm 91:7)

Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, the last thing He said to his disciples was, “I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) This verse has always brought me great comfort. If He will be with us until the world is literally over, He will certainly be with us if our child falls ill, if we lose our job, if we go through divorce, or if we experience the hardship of a natural disaster. And if He holds us with His victorious right hand, we will come out on top. He will work all things for our good.

Yes, this world has many things to fear and Jesus said there would be tribulation. But, we can rest assured that we are divinely protected, no matter what evils are lurking around the corner. If we have to walk through flames, we will not be burned, and if we have to cross a river, it will not overtake us! So, Beloved, DO NOT BE AFRAID! The Lord is with you (and your loved ones) wherever you go! Amen.

Jesus Loves You,

Alexis