FEAR NOT: Because God Is

Introduction: The Reason Behind “Fear Not”

If I close my eyes and imagine the night of Jesus’ birth, a few beautiful moments come to mind:

Mary and Joseph traveling as newlyweds to Bethlehem.

A perfect baby swaddled in a manger.

Shepherds taking care of their sheep in a field.

And the angel saying, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy…”

As I was thinking about that proclamation, ‘fear not,’ I remembered that angels had said those same words to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph. Four different fears received the same message.

Fear not.

Yet they were each afraid for very different reasons.

Zechariah had prayed for a child but doubted his prayer would ever be answered. Mary was troubled, wondering how she could possibly carry the weight of such a huge calling.  Joseph was facing an unexpected and difficult decision. And the shepherds were terrified when the glory of the Lord surrounded them in the darkness.

That made me wonder how often God had spoken those words before the night Jesus was born. So, I started looking. And I found phrases such as “fear not,” “do not be afraid,” and “be not afraid” repeated throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God or one of His messengers repeatedly told His people not to fear.

And the fear wasn’t limited to physical threats like enemy forces or a den of lions. Fear included everyday situations like abandonment, failure, disrupted plans, suffering, or shame.

The good news (since I’m quoting angels) is the passages I found do not just focus on the fear.

They also give us a glimpse into God’s character. Each of these passages provides a powerful reminder of why we don’t have to be afraid.

Of course, there are times when we are going to be afraid. We are going to have doubts. We are going to feel anxious. Let’s be honest, sometimes the danger or problem in front of us is incredibly real.

God never promised us a life free from fear. We know hard days are bound to happen.  But as flawed humans, we are rarely brave enough, strong enough, or faithful enough to endure them.

But God is.

Fear not because God is.

So, during this Advent season, we are going to walk through some of those “fear not” moments together. We will study the situation, the fear they experienced and God’s unchanging character as we journey through Scripture from Abraham all the way to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the Child who came to dwell among us.

Prayer

Lord,

As I start this Advent season, please help me look past my fears and focus entirely on who You are. Open my heart as I read Your Word. While I prepare to celebrate the arrival of Jesus, teach me to hear Your reassurance of “Fear not,” and trust You completely.

Amen.

A Moment to Reflect

When fear catches you off guard, where do you usually turn first?