Do Not Be Afraid

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

I really like summer, but I haven’t been able to enjoy it much. Why??? Mosquitoes! Imagine your life being run by such tiny creatures. There are so many of them! Their buzzing around my ears is unnerving. The hum I hear in the trees has me heading inside for cover. It might sound silly, but I’m afraid of the little critters. They are relentless.

On paper, we should have fewer fears than any generation before us. We’re surrounded by security systems, advanced medicine, and have access to endless information through the glowing rectangle in our pockets called a “smart phone”. And let’s not forget AI (Artificial Intelligence) which gives us better answers than we ever had. But we’re afraid.

So now what? In reading through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we’ve been reminded again and again that God is showering His favor on us, that He has rescued us from the darkest of situations and has raised us to be seated with Him to rule. This is our present reality and not something we wait for when we get to heaven. But in order to live into this new reality, we need to be reminded often.

Read your Bible and find someone to talk to about what you’ve read. Simply put, if your Bible is not wholly true, then you should be terrified. Why? Because if the Bible is not true, you have no reason to trust that the One governing your life is both powerful and good.

When you open the Bible, something amazing happens. You meet the living Lord who is both powerful and good, who is sovereign and kind.

In Luke 12, Jesus encourages his disciples not to be anxious, since their Father in heaven is both powerful and good. Then he says one of the most beautiful statements in all the Gospels: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

In one tiny verse, Jesus unfolds three massive truths. God is the Good Shepherd; our Good Father and our King. God is the Shepherd who seeks us out, the Father who loves and adopts us, and the King who protects and directs us.

2,000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Shepherd King became the Lamb. The One you pursued you, lived for you, died for you, rose for you, intercedes for you, and will return for you.

The most repeated command in the Bible is (take a guess. . .) “Fear not” or “Don’t be afraid.” Our Shepherd’s guiding hand often leads us straight ahead to face fear. Even 21st-century proud modern people with smartphones need to be reminded that God is with us; don’t be afraid.

Another reminder: God is quite fond of you. Listen to Jesus. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32). God delights in giving good things to you – all the way to the power and majesty of His kingdom. He is very fond of you.

Human history is the long story of God’s faithfulness to fear-filled people who doubt His goodness. He has never failed one of his own—and he won’t end his streak with you. You may have gone through many trials – like swarms of mosquitoes, but He has brought you to see this day, and you can surely trust Him with tomorrow.

Keep and Live the Faith!