Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, John 12:15 (ESV)
Grumpy sleuths might look at these two verses and think that when the author of the gospel quotes Zechariah, he makes a mistake.
Zechariah says, ‘Rejoice greatly.’ The gospel says, ‘Fear not.’
But there is no contradiction because one of the opposites of fear is rejoicing. Where fear reigns, rejoicing can’t be found. Where rejoicing sings, fear is outcast. This is one reason that God’s Word presents worship as an antidote to fear.
So yesterday, where the world felt fear, God’s people, in worship rejoiced!
So yesterday, when the world hid, God’s people, in worship rejoiced!
So yesterday, if the world timidly looked away, God’s people in worship rejoiced!
Are you afraid? Then worship! At any moment when the fear monster’s fangs are dripping near your throat, lift your eyes towards heaven instead and rejoice!
Are you afraid? Then worship! If you are unable to find solace in corporate worship at the moment, then at least worship with a small ‘w,’ remembering God’s goodness, proclaiming God’s loving power, and opening your hearts to His comfort!
Are you afraid? Then worship! Because the King has come… riding on a donkey’s colt… right up to your front door!
Fear not… rejoice!