Strength and Courage, Part 26

Welcome to another five of the Bible's reminders that we don't have to be afraid.

"When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit."  Mark 13:11 (NAS)

Jesus already knew that His followers would be criminalized, and told us in advance to keep following Him and not worry about the rest.

"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.'"  Luke 1:13 (NAS)

Your prayers are being heard too.

"The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.'"  Luke 1:30 (NAS)

Have you also found favor with God?

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;'"  Luke 2:10 (NAS)

The only reason that angel showed up to a few shepherds was to tell them a happy secret.  Don't be so overwhelmed by negative emotions that you miss out on the good stuff.

"For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.'"  Luke 5:9-10 (NAS)

How long will it take us to internalize this message?  Don't waste time worrying.  Step into victory.

Strength and Courage, Part 25

Here are five of the Bible's "don't be afraid" references, most of them directly from Jesus Himself.

"And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid."  Matthew 17:7 (NAS)

Jesus took His closest friends up on a high mountain where they saw and heard things that bewildered and frightened them.  When God leads you into unexpected situations, keep trusting Him.

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.'"  Matthew 28:5 (NAS)

Two women on their way to pay their respects after Jesus' death got the news straight from an angel that Jesus was no longer dead.  We can expect the supernatural when we are intentionally moving toward the Lord.

"Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.'"  Matthew 28:10 (NAS)

That pair of women on their way to visit Jesus' grave met Him alive instead.  Expect Him to meet you when you're going in search of Him.

"But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, 'Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.'"  Mark 5:36 (NAS)

A father was on his way to request healing for his ill daughter when word came that it was too late for her.  Jesus revived her anyway.  Don't underestimate Him.

'for they all saw Him and were terrified.  But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, 'Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.'"  Mark 6:50 (NAS)

Jesus' squad freaked out when they saw Him strolling across the surface of the water while they were on a boat in a storm.  Let's get to know Him well enough that when He shows up in the middle of our storms, we recognize Him.

Strength and Courage, Part 24

Here are another five of the Bible's references to not being afraid.

"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say."  Matthew 10:19 (NAS)

Jesus already knew that being a follower of His would become "criminal".  He gave us advance notice, and promised to be with us through whatever comes.  Just do what He tells you and don't worry about the consequences.  (It's the consequences of not following Him that are actually worrisome.)

"Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known."  Matthew 10:26 (NAS)

Truth will out.

"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."  Matthew 10:28 (NAS)

Self-explanatory, right?

"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?  And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."  Matthew 10:29-31 (NAS)

Could Jesus have made it any more clear?

"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.'"  Matthew 14:27 (NAS)

This was when Jesus walked across the lake surface and a boat full of men thought, naturally, that He was a ghost.  Get to know Jesus well enough that when you're faced with the extraordinary, you know whether it's Him.

Strength and Courage, Part 23

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?  And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  And why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?  You of little faith!  Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:25-34 (NAS)

In a culture currently controlled by anxiety and depression, we would do well to remember that the Bible tells us 365 times not to be afraid.  It's not just a cute little suggestion, it's a command.  Soldier up.