Be Not Afraid

Bill Brinkworth

“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” Mat. 6:27

Fear is one of the biggest stumbling blocks most youth and adults face. We are afraid of what could happen, what did happen, or what others may think.We fear for safety, and we fear because of the unknown. Is there something under the bed, or something beyond the next dark corner? Will the bully be there today? Will I say the wrong answer in class, and the kids will think me stupid and laugh? Young stomachs are tied in knots because of something an adult meant figuratively (“I’ll kill him” or “the hurricane will blow us away”). Adult stomachs, eaten by years of worrying, can develop ulcers.

We fear. We fret. All is in vain: “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” (Mat. 6:27) What good will worry do? It won’t make you taller, or thinner. It never solves situations; it just adds to the problem.

Over 50 times in the Bible we are admonished not to be afraid, including:

When Moses prepared the people for their new life in a new land, he told them of the enemies they would face and not to fear them: “Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;” Deut. 7:18 Instead of worrying about what could happen, remember how God has helped you in the past, and how He will again; if you ask.
God reminded Israel, that when it looked like they were out-matched, and out-gunned, He was still with them and could help them. “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” Deut. 20:1 Remember who God is, and how no one is a match against Him.
Being out-numbered means nothing to God. Nothing is impossible with God. “… Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.” II Chron. 20:15 “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
Nehemiah had a seemingly impossible task before him of rebuilding a city. To make matters worse, the government and others tried to stop him from his task; but still He remembered God was on his side. “And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14

David, the great warrior and leader, also had fears. He reminded us to not be:

Fearful of getting hurt. “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Psalm 56:11
David did not say it, but read also Luke 2:4.
Afraid of the night or enemies. “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” Psalm 91:5
Afraid of what could happen during your sleep. “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” Proverb 3:24
Afraid of fear itself or being alone. “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.” Proverb 3:25

Life has many questionable twists and turns. They can be daunting and frightening at times. However, there is no need for a Christian to be alarmed or troubled. The Christian is never alone. His heavenly Father looks over him day and night. Not one thing can happen to a believer without the Father’s knowing, and He is definitely able to keep His children safe.

“No Christian ever falls beneath today’s load. We only fall when we borrow tomorrow’s trials, without the benefit of tomorrow’s grace.”

July 26, 2005, Revised 9/27/2011 dftb 7/16