Do Not Be Afraid

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

- Luke 1: 11-13

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God”

- Luke 1:29-30

That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”

- Genesis 26:24

See, the Lord your God has given you the land.  Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

- Deuteronomy 1:21

God always has four words for His people: DO NOT BE AFRAID.  When He speaks to His people, His introductory address is “Do not afraid.” When He calls His people, He commands them, “Do not be afraid.” Even His angels, the messengers, tell His people to not be afraid.   So I ask myself, “Is God that frightening to His chosen people for them to be in a fearful state? Why their first reaction would be to get frightened? What is there to be afraid of?”

“Do not be afraid” – a command from God; a comfort to those who fear; an assurance of God.  I guess those whom God called in the Bible were afraid of the unknown.  Same goes with us.  We are afraid of the uncertainty.  We are afraid of whom we do not know.  We are afraid of the big, overwhelming things.  We are afraid we might not handle things well.  We are afraid to believe in the promise; that it might not be fulfilled. There are many reasons to be afraid, but God commands us not to.  God comforts us not to be afraid, for He always brings good news, and He always fulfills good promises.

Personally, I have a confession to make.  Sometimes, I find it hard to believe when God says not to be afraid.  Why? That is because I haven’t known God fully yet.  And to me, trusting someone whom you haven’t really known is not a good idea.  I admit that I still lack knowledge of who God really is, for I know there is something more about Him to discover every time I open the Bible.  But praise God! Praise God! He has not called me to be afraid, but to trust Him for He has proven Himself faithful.  I thank God for being patient with me, drawing me near to His Presence, wooing me towards His love, revealing Himself to me.  He whispers, “Do not be afraid, Sheslley, My child. You are mine, and I am with you. Trust in Me.”

Photo courtesy: care2.com

Great men and women of the Bible had surely experienced fear at one point in their lives.  As they have come to know more and more about God, their fear turned into faith!  God knows them inside out including their fears.  God knows every bit of our fears as well.

So why is it so hard to trust the God whom He had given His all for us?  Why is it that we are afraid of an unknown future when God holds the future? Why is it sometimes when God speaks, we are afraid to listen?

Why? For we haven’t fully known God Himself.  That is why Jesus had to come down from heaven to reveal who God really is.  And more of that, Jesus had to come down to earth to save mankind from death eternal.

[Journal entry: April 15, 2012]