December 6 | Fear Not
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” - Luke 2:10
“Fear not…” This was what the angel Gabriel said at least, on three occasions, in relation to the birth of Jesus. He said it to Zechariah and then to Mary. An unidentified angel also spoke these words to reassure the shepherds on the field.
Fear usually grips us when confronted with the unknown. It is wired to our being. Zechariah, the priest sensed fear when the angel Gabriel told him about the miracle birth of John the Baptist. Mary felt a gnawing sense of fear too when Gabriel also appeared to her she was going to be the mother of the Lord. The shepherds were obviously terrified the moment the angel of the Lord told them about the birth of Jesus.
Hence, the exhortation of the angel Gabriel to those blessed witnesses of the first Christmas, “fear not!”
Today, the unknown continues to strike fear in us. An unforeseen medical diagnosis. A sudden unemployment. Or it could be a major business venture and yes, even a new relationship. All of these, combined with what’s also taking place around us, in our country and around the world, definitely brings us occasional “panic attacks.”
Fear is paralyzing. Dread and fright can easily immobilize our minds and senses bringing us deeper into the depths of despair and hopelessness (Hebrews 2:15). Fear does not bring us to a state of completeness and solidity. It instead, unravels us (1 John 4:18).
But fear not! For us, God’s people, there are no more “unknowns.” With regards to our past, we now know that we have been forgiven already. As far as our present life challenges are concerned, God knows already our every need and in connection with our future, God is already there waiting for us! (1 Corinthians 13:12).
The answer to your questions is coming! The solution to your pressing dilemmas is already within your reach! The breakthrough to your challenges is about to emerge! Fear not and starting having faith right now!
Fear usually grips us when confronted with the unknown. It is wired to our being. Zechariah, the priest sensed fear when the angel Gabriel told him about the miracle birth of John the Baptist. Mary felt a gnawing sense of fear too when Gabriel also appeared to her she was going to be the mother of the Lord. The shepherds were obviously terrified the moment the angel of the Lord told them about the birth of Jesus.
Hence, the exhortation of the angel Gabriel to those blessed witnesses of the first Christmas, “fear not!”
Today, the unknown continues to strike fear in us. An unforeseen medical diagnosis. A sudden unemployment. Or it could be a major business venture and yes, even a new relationship. All of these, combined with what’s also taking place around us, in our country and around the world, definitely brings us occasional “panic attacks.”
Fear is paralyzing. Dread and fright can easily immobilize our minds and senses bringing us deeper into the depths of despair and hopelessness (Hebrews 2:15). Fear does not bring us to a state of completeness and solidity. It instead, unravels us (1 John 4:18).
But fear not! For us, God’s people, there are no more “unknowns.” With regards to our past, we now know that we have been forgiven already. As far as our present life challenges are concerned, God knows already our every need and in connection with our future, God is already there waiting for us! (1 Corinthians 13:12).
The answer to your questions is coming! The solution to your pressing dilemmas is already within your reach! The breakthrough to your challenges is about to emerge! Fear not and starting having faith right now!
