Do Not Be Afraid

AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM AND SAID "JOSEPH DO NOT BE AFRAID." Mathew 1.20

Even if you are not a TV addict, you would have probably seen the programme from Hollywood known as ‘Fear Factor’, parts of which sometimes nauseate spectators! Robust young men and women stick out their neck and life to prove that they have no fear! But fear is a common factor in everyone’s life!

In our church we pray for people who come forward for special prayer, as most churches do. I have noticed that one thing they all express is fear of their distressing situations. They find no escape and are afraid. There was once a single mother with two teenagers who found it difficult to cope with life alone! Another was a young man in financial difficulty. There were others with serious sicknesses. These are all typical of the troubles and trials that you and I face. Because we cannot solve them by ourselves, and sometimes even by our fervent prayers, we become fearful.

It is such a great comfort that Our heavenly Father knows all our fears. Over fifty times on different occasions to various people in the Bible, we read that the angels and even the Lord Himself appeared and said, “Do not be afraid”. When Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, many of the kings of Israel, Joseph, Mary, the disciples, the apostles and others had divine encounters, they all heard almost the same words of comfort and encouragement.

The psalmist king David had fears of foes and woes all his life. In his great distress he penned that most comforting psalm – 34. He said, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears…This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble (Psa 34.4,6).

Dear believer, if you think that your fears are great, then think for a moment of Joseph and Mary, the parents of our Lord Jesus Christ! The pious young carpenter was engaged to the most God-fearing girl in Nazareth! The next thing she knew and Joseph heard was that she was pregnant! But they had no premarital sex which the youngsters of today take for granted! Joseph was a God-fearing and obedient youngster and wouldn’t have dared to violate Mary’s chastity. Mary, they say, was one of those strict virgins of Israel who, like her companions, kept herself pure and wished and prayed to become the mother of the Messiah!

What great fears might have overtaken the most favoured couple of Nazareth! Their lives crumbled. Their marriage was on the rocks. They were about to lose face before the village people. To poor Mary, it could have even been death by stoning for fornication (adultery). It was then, their loving and caring Father in Heaven came into their fear-ridden lives. He sent the angel Gabriel himself, the chiefest and mightiest in heaven, to allay poor Mary's fear. Another angel was sent to Joseph and said to him, “Do not be afraid!”

Dear friend, whatever be your fear today that cripples your life, just trust in God. I reminded one young man as I prayed for him, “If you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you can be sure God will add to your life all the things you need!” God is faithful. You need to be faithful! You will then somehow hear God say to you, “Son/daughter, do not be afraid!”

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I am so fearful of my situation which is beyond my control. Let me hear Your Words, “Do not be afraid!” and be comforted and encouraged like Joseph and Mary. Amen.