Fear Not!

13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Fear is a human emotion that affects everyone. t can occur suddenly whenever we experience something unfamiliar or unsettling that we have no control over or whenever we are faced with something out of our comfort zone. 

God knew we would struggle with fear and because of this He graciously provided the phrase “Fear not” or Do not be afraid” in His Word many times to give us confidence in Him to help us overcome fear. Did you know “Fear not,” is used 63 times in the KJV, and the same phrase worded as “Do not be afraid” is used 74 times in the NIV. 

The interesting truth is the command, “fear not,” or “do not be afraid,” is given directly from the Lord to His people in times of crisis and uncertainty. This should encourage the child of God who is presently facing a crisis in their lives. For the same God who spoke words of comfort to His people in the past is the same God who is speaking to you today to “fear not,’ or “do not be afraid.’ One of the reasons we can obey God to “fear not,’ or “do not be afraid,” is because He promises to help us and be with us in our crisis. 

God gives us a picture in these verses “fear not” or “do not be afraid” of what He will do when we are willing to turn from our fear to trust Him instead. “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ 

Wow! The Lord our God, Himself, offers in our time of fear His promise to take your hand and to comfort you with His words, “do not be afraid,’ I will help you! There is no better offer or source of help to the child of God who is struggling with fear, than to have the Lord God, Himself, be by your side helping you! 

The writers of the Psalms understood this truth about God being their ultimate source of help in their times of fear because of uncertainty in the following Psalms; “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. (Psalm 46:1-3). 

 “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). And lastly, the prophet Jeremiah writes what the Lord God said to him, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). 

Even the authors of the Old Testament recorded God’s promise to His people to be their source of help and an ever-constant endearing companion in their times of difficulty and uncertainty. Consider the following verses; “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand’ (Isaiah 41:10). “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:1-3). 

It is very human, even for the child of God, to experience fear when a crisis of uncertainty arises in our lives. If we allow this fear to grow it will begin to have a controlling grip upon our lives leaving us feeling overwhelmed and torn apart. However, God offers a solution. His offer is Himself! He offers to help us and to be with us. What will your response be to Him today? Will you give your fear to Him? Will you give your burden to Him?  Will you trust Him to help you and to walk with you through whatever it is you are facing today? He is waiting patiently for you to come to Him. 

“I have a great need for Christ: I have a great Christ for my need.” Whatever it is you are facing today, no matter how great it is, you have a great God and Savior to meet your need. Why not ask God right now to give you the grace you need to give Him your fears and to give you the power of the Holy Spirit to trust Him completely.-Charles H. Spurgeon