Fear Not, because God gives a spirit of power

…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)

I was strangely intrigued by nitroglycerin.   On westerns like The Big Valley, nitroglycerin was an innocent clear liquid.  But if disturbed it would EXPLODE.  Caps intended.   I wanted some.  Hidden power! Secret strength! I could do ANYTHING if I had some nitroglycerin!

When Paul tells Timothy here that the spirit of fear never comes from God, Paul isn’t saying that God leaves us gift-less.  Instead, God offers us three things in place of fear.

The first listed is power.

The Greek word that is translated ‘power’ is δύναμις (dunamis,)  the root word of DYNAMITE.  Like nitroglycerin, only safer!  Alfred Nobel and his brother invented dynamite because nitroglycerin was too unstable.  It would explode too easily.  But dynamite was STILL powerful… but would only explode when we needed it.  It was power under our control!

In countless adventure films security is found with a couple of sticks of dynamite.  Enemy tanks approaching?  Take out your dynamite!  Trapped in a cave? Escape with dynamite! Surrounded by hordes of monsters? You know what to do:  use the dynamite!

Power answers fear.

God’s people have more power than dynamite available to us.  We have God Himself.

But when Paul writes about a spirit of power, he is not talking about us wielding a hidden magical ability to control the elements, change hearts, or stop the sun in its tracks.  Rather Paul is comparing the spirit of power to the spirit of fear that he just mentioned.  It is not WE who dance with lightning, transform lives, play with atoms and galaxies, or wield ultimate power.  It is God.

He is referring to an awareness, or a sense, or a belief, or a trust that God is… well, God.  Dynamite is nothing compared to the δύναμις of God who makes lightning dance.  Dynamite is nothing compared to the δύναμις of God to hold both atoms and galaxies together.  Dynamite is nothing compared to the δύναμις of God to do ANYTHING.

When I try to find the power myself, it usually ends in an awareness of my weakness.  When I try to defeat fear with my power, it usually ends in more fear.  When I try to come up with a plan based on me, that plan ends up hurting someone.

But when I remember, focus on, lean on, and pull out God’s δύναμις, God’s power… than I find I have nothing to fear. The way to have a spirit of power is to choose to believe that HE does those things.   We have a spirit of fear when we choose to believe that anything else has more power than God.

Fear not, because God offers a spirit of power.

Fear Not, Fear is not from God

…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)

If you receive a box that SAYS it is from me… but includes Kale, you can be completely sure of one thing.  It did NOT come from me.  Obviously, you can like Kale if you want to, but Kale has been expunged and outlawed from my life.  I wouldn’t even give Kale to a stray dog.  I certainly wouldn’t give Kale to you.  You can count on it.

In the same way, any fear you have does not come from God. 

Someone might try to claim that fear isn’t all bad.  We convince ourselves, sometimes, that fear is reasonable reaction to a threat.  We persuade ourselves, sometimes, that fear is fine THIS time.  We think, sometimes, that we can’t help BUT fear.

But fear does not come from God.

While we don’t know exactly why Timothy was afraid, we do see clearly Paul’s three-fold advice to get rid of that fear.  Paul says we can face down our fear with Power, Love, and Self-Control.  We’ll be looking at how those three things banish fear over the next few days. 

But even when we do, the main idea will be the same.

Fear does not come from God.

When we are afraid, it comes from somewhere else. 

It really doesn’t matter where it comes from.  Fear might come from insecurity, doubt, false understanding, lies, past experiences, self-focus, a very real threat, a BIGGER very real threat, or Satan’s whispering.  But ultimately the origins of fear do nott matter.  I want to get rid of it. 

Because fear is not from God.

Fear Not, Because of Your Daddy

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)

THUMP knock thump hoWL… a young child hears a noise.  Outside.  At night.  And is scared.  Without pause he shuts his eyes tightly and opens his mouth and calls, “DaaaAAAAADDDdy!”

Or…

THUMP knock thump hoWL… a young slave child hears a noise.  Outside.  At night.  And is scared.  But there is no Daddy to call.  And so the fear remains.

Adoption occurs when a person willingly and eagerly takes another person into their family.

Please remember that you were adopted by God Himself.  He knows what you are really like, but He adopted you anyway.  He knows how much He is always going to have to help you out, but He adopted you anyway.  He knows that you will always be a bit of a rebel, a bit of a black sheep, a bit like the embarrassing uncle, but he adopted you anyway.

Please remember that you are not God’s slave, or employee, or underling.  If you were, you should be afraid.  Slaves get sold down the river.  Employees get fired or transfer.  Underlings, when too much underfoot, get kicked out of the ‘in’ group.  And so slaves, employees, and underlings are always a bit afraid.  Or they should be.

Paul tells us that we are not fearful slaves… we are adopted children!

And not merely children, but we get to be that kind of child that cries out, “Abba! Father!”

Abba is an interesting word.  Abba is one part, “Daddy,” one part, “Deeply Known,” one part, “Constant Gift-Giver,” one part, “Embracer,” and one part, “Absolutely Reliable.”

Because we can call God, “Abba,” we have nothing to fear.   Who fears when we are with Daddy?  Who fears when we are focused on our deeply known God?  Who fears when we are overwhelmed by His gifts?  Who fears when we are enfolded in His arms?  Who fears when we are aware of His reliability?

But again, ALL of things aspects are more precious and helpful when we know that God does all those things because He wants to!  He chooses to! He likes to!

He adopted you!  So fear not.

Fear Not, There is Good News

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

Every day our eyes and ears are hit by a firehose of bad news.   We are presented by social and national media with a constant flow of bad news.   Even when well intentioned, those who tell us things lately tell us bad news.  Repeatedly.

The shepherds were seeing and hearing terrifying things.  They weren’t merely afraid, they were SORE afraid.  So afraid it hurt.  Bad news was on their doorstep.

And the angel answers the resulting fear with good news.  Not only was the news the angel brought good, but the angel says, “THIS IS GOOD NEWS.”

The angel didn’t argue with the shepherds about how what seemed bad was actually good.  The angel didn’t point out the foolishness of the silly shepherds for being afraid of God’s hand.  The angel didn’t really discuss what the shepherds were interpreting as bad news at all.  The angel simply told them good news.

That’s our answer, too.

Our family, friends, community, state, and nation are told bad news every hour.  Our ears are filled with it.

Instead of arguing, cajoling, confronting, debating, and accusing… we need to mimic the angel.

There IS good news.

Talk about it!

The weather has been amazing.  There is a weird comet coming that makes me wonder at God’s creation.  Baby bunnies are cute when they run.  I got to eat out at a drive-through.  Babies are born. Laughter still is a gift.  We know more than yesterday.  We are loved.  We get to love.  Death for believers while the end of the world, is NOT the end of the world! God’s Kingdom is grand!

Fear not, there is Good News.

Fear Not, Lead from Belief

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)

I have a lot of sympathy for our leaders.  God has delegated authority to the State, the Church, and the Family.   And the leaders in these arenas have a difficult job.  Decisions are questioned, motivations are questioned, results are questioned.   In most situations, leaders have gone willingly into their seats, but those seats are complicated, uncomfortable, and scary.

Yes, scary.

Examining the same story we looked at yesterday, it is no small matter that the man Jesus told to “fear not” is described as a Leader of the Synagogue.  We don’t read about the occupation of every character in the Gospel.  But here, Mark makes sure we know.

The LEADER of the synagogue was a unique leadership position.   The synagogue was a religious place.  But it was also a place of secular authority.  Similar, probably, to a town elder.  So this man was a part of all three of God’s Delegated areas of authority.   He is a leader in ‘the Church,’ the State, and the Family. 

This man, as he journeys to find Jesus, carried a lot of responsibilities.  As a religious leader, he needed to find out who this Jesus was.  Messiah?  Fraud? Something else?   As a state leader, he needed to find out who this Jesus was.  Loyalist? Rebel? Claimant to Israel’s throne?  As a family leader, he needed to find out who this Jesus was.  Healer? Quack? Helper?

And Jesus… King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator and Master speaks to the man in all three of his roles.  Jesus is the head of all three of these delegated areas of authority.  He is the Chief Magistrate!  He is the Head of the Church!  He is the Eldest Brother!

And His message is amazingly simple and comforting.  Jesus doesn’t tell the man to gather more data and find ALL the facts.  Yes, those facts are helpful in making decisions… but there is something else more important.

Jesus doesn’t tell the man to develop a three-step program of improvement and development.  Yes, such plans are useful and helpful… but there is something else more important.

Jesus doesn’t tell the man to take a survey and find a popular position.  Yes, knowing the mind and will of the governed is a fine thing to do… but there is something else more important.

Jesus tells this leader to BELIEVE.  To found his life on faith.   As a leader in the State, the Church, and the Family to lead from a position of trusting God.  He directs the man to be a Godly leader.

And our leaders need to hear Jesus, too.  They (we) live with the option of fear always in the shadows.  Fear is common.  Fear is what seems to be the popular position. 

But Jesus says fear is nothing.  Believe, instead. 

And THEN decide things.   And THEN gather data.  And THEN make plans.  And THEN take surveys.

We are all in positions of leadership somewhere.  Fathers, mothers, siblings, advisors, helpers, watchers, neighbors, supervisors, listeners, prophets, priests, kings.  We all lead every day.

But it starts with belief.  For all of us!

Fear not, Lead from Belief!

Believe and Fear Not

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe. (Mark 5:36 ESV)

I put on sunscreen before I mow the lawn.  I take Benedryl before I mow the lawn.  I charge up my ancient MP3 player before I mow the lawn.  I fill the mowers gas tank before I mow the lawn.  I check the edge of the blades before I mow the lawn.  I move storm-blown branches before I mow the lawn. 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

And the primary preventer of fear is belief.  When I believe that gravity is functioning, I don’t fear the stairs.  When I believe my insulin is un-expired, I don’t fear donuts.  When I believe dinner is ready, I don’t fear hunger.  Belief prevents fear.

On the heels of a faith-displaying woman who believed Jesus enough to touch Him, Jesus meets a Jewish leader.  His daughter is severely sick.  And while we aren’t sure how much he fears the disease, he is about to face mankind’s greatest fear.  News of his daughter’s death arrives. 

And I expect he is going to be reaching for hope.  Is the news true?  Is his daughter really dead?  He turns for home, ready to walk the miles in fear. 

And Jesus offers him the best fear-preventer.  Jesus tells the leader to believe, and not fear.

Jesus doesn’t say, “She’s already back alive!”  He doesn’t promise that everything will be ok.  He doesn’t say anything about true medicine, the power of Christ’s hem or hand, foreknowledge, or even His Divinity.  He simply says, “believe.”

It’s a question of attitude.  It’s a question of expectation.  It’s a question of choosing God or God’s enemies. 

The man chooses belief.  So much belief that he doesn’t even go with Jesus to see what happens.  Because he doesn’t need to see.  He believes.

I believe (see what I did there?) that the man believed in the Biblical sense, and not just the way the world uses the word.  The synagogue leader did not believe, ‘that his daughter would live.’  He did not believe, ‘that Jesus was about to raise his daughter from the dead.’  He did not believe, ‘that Jesus would do what the leader needed.’

He believed.   This is a believe in Christ’s Kingship.  This is a belief that Christ was the Messiah.  This is a belief that is a saving belief.  A belief that whatever Jesus would do would be the right, good, glorious  thing!

He believed in Jesus, He believed Jesus, He believed.

And his reason for fear left him.

Believe and fear not.

Fear Not, You're More Than Sparrows

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:31)

The Brits have a saying, “Save a penny, save a pound.”  Another way of making the same point might be to say, “someone who counts pennies probably pays attention to 100-dollar bills.”  Caring about the little things often indicates attention to the large things of life.

Sparrows were not important.  It took a gaggle of sparrows to make a sparrow sandwich.  And each tiny bite was not particularly tasty. 

Many Hebrews believed that God created the universe moving from the least to the most.  The Fifth Day was the first day of ‘life,’ and therefor the least important.  And the tiny, simple birds were probably made first, followed by the fancy, complicated birds.  Sparrows were early on that day. 

When listing acceptable offerings, sparrows are listed as candidates for the poor and recently unemployed (Leviticus 14:4) because they were plentiful and cheap. 

Today we have a saying that indicates common and unimportant.  We say, “those are a dime a dozen.”  It means the thing being considered is negligible, perhaps often slipping behind the notice of everyone.

And yet, Jesus says, those dime a dozen sparrows are under the care of God.  He notices, counts, and is interested in each and every single tiny sparrow.  Not just because God is one of those detail people.  He cares about sparrows from egg to end.

And if He cares about lowly sparrows, surely He cares about His Individual People.  Jesus says, with remarkable understatement, that His people are more valuable than sparrows.  And since God cares about sparrows we can KNOW that God cares about us.

Jesus tells the disciples about sparrows as they go out to do His dangerous work.  They are, perhaps, leaving the peaceful countryside and going into the tumultuous cities.  They are, perhaps, leaving the peaceful live-style of sitting at Jesus’ feet and going into tumultuous debates. They are, perhaps, leaving their time of rest and going into a time of tumultuous work.

And they probably felt suddenly small and insignificant. 

Sometimes we are afraid that we don’t really matter.  That when big events flurry in fury, we might get left in the dust.  We might worry that when big troubles threaten, we might not get included in safety.  That when society topples, we might be a part of the rubble.

But we have nothing to fear.  Because you are important.  Not only because God made you thoughtfully, artfully, and carefully… but He also keeps looking at you, noticing you, and being satisfied with you.  Not in some loosey-goosey, “God loves everyone” sort of bland blanket-care.  But He is personal and particular in His attention to you. 

It is shown through the cross.   It is shown though His sacrifice for you.  It is shown through His breaking the laws of the universe for you. It is shown through the place He’s gone to prepare for you.

Fear not, you’re more than a sparrow.

Fear Not, There Is Nothing Left to Fear

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

What’s the worst thing that can happen?  As the disciples went out on their Impossible Mission, they had plenty of obvious reasons to fear.  They might be killed.  They might be stoned.  They might be tortured.  They might go hungry.  They might be thirsty.  They might be exhausted.  They might be mocked.  They might be ridiculed.  They might be muddy or dusty.  They might need to buy new clothes.  They might get tired of the road.  They might get bored.  They might get a hangnail.

Physical fears are real.  He is not belittling them.  The days ahead for the disciples would be rough.  He just told them that.  But Jesus knows that as scary as most of those things really are (He faces them Himself!) there is more to fear.

Jesus tells them that if they are going to be afraid, there is Someone BIGGER to fear.

Every physical fear is temporary.  But there ARE eternal things to fear.

But Jesus is not warning them to make them fear something else.  In fact, He is reminding them of the gospel that they are on their way to preach.  Humans have EVERY reason to fear God.  Humans have more reason to fear God than reasons to fear anything physical.  But through Christ, we do not need to be afraid of God!  His just wrath is redirected to Christ on the cross.  His anger is re-aimed to His Son.  The reasons we have to be afraid of God are all made naught. 

Jesus is saying, loudly, “FEAR NOT.”         

Here, simply, is His logic:  There are many legitimate things to fear.  But God is more fear-able than ANY of them!  If you are going to be afraid, be afraid of HIM!  Yet the Fearful God is appeased through Christ Himself… so you have nothing to fear!

We face physical dangers, too.  A strange new virus.  An economic disaster.  An over-reaching government.  And as we go out to spread the gospel (it is still our job, too, right?  Just like the disciples…) Jesus might be speaking directly to us.

Those physical fears loom large.  But if you are going to be afraid, be afraid of the REAL dangers, the eternal dangers, the soul-dangers.  Yet Christ Himself has handled them. 

With your eyes on Jesus… there is nothing left worth fearing.

Fear Not, because of Truth

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. (Matthew 10:26, 27)

I have never seen a secret help a marriage, or a friendship, or a church, or a community.

Secrets cause fear.  At times we like secrets.  Knowledge bears a striking resemblance to power, and so secrets get built, covered, and hoarded.  But eventually all secrets lead to fear.  Perhaps fear from the folk that don’t know the information but should.  Perhaps fear from the secret-ers, that their power will be taken when the secret is found.  Perhaps fear from the fact that secrets cause separation and destroy community.

In the context of Christ’s observation that the world out there is scary, dark, and threatening, He tells His disciples to defeat fear by clinging to truth. 

The dark, power-hoarding secrets of others WILL be brought to light, He says.  The power of Christ’s enemies, armed with secrets, will be shattered by the Sonlight.

And therefore, when facing the unknown… those things that are either misty and therefor scary, OR those things that are dark and powerful and held back from others, Jesus says fight those fears with declarations of truth.

As much as He is speaking here about conspiracies of His enemies, or plans against His kingdom, or secret sins that WE might be harboring, His truth also applies to the dark shadows of these troubled times.  Christ tells us not to fear because HE knows all truth, He will reveal all truth, and He controls all truth.

When we become afraid wondering, “How bad IS this disease?  Will it grow worse again?  When will the spread peak?” remember that Jesus Christs the GREAT Physician already knows the scientific medical answers.  HE knows.  So fear not.

When we become afraid wondering, “Is this the beginning of the Greater Depression?  Who will keep their jobs?  Will I be broke, poor, or homeless?” remember that Jesus Christ owns the cattle on a thousand hills and HE is not surprised by economic turmoil.  He knows.  So fear not.

When we become afraid wondering, “Is this the Chinese?  Or the Democrats? Or the news media?  Or Government grabbing power? WHO is behind this, for what nefarious purpose?” remember that Christ the King appoints governments, and knows all dark plans, and LAUGHS at them.  He knows.  So fear not.

When we become afraid wondering, “What ELSE don’t we know?  More information is revealed every day that alters or contradicts yesterday’s news? What can we KNOW?” remember that while our knowledge is fleeting, fluid, and farcical, HE is the light!  He knows what IS!  And as long as HE knows all things, we have nothing to fear.

When you fear the unknown, Jesus here reminds us to bring TRUTH to light.  And you DO always have the truth.  The truth that is more true than CNN or Fox.   The truth that is eternal, heart-calming, and joy-causing.

It might seem overly simple.  It might seem to be leaving the lies of politics, scientific prediction, or conspiracy unanswered on the table.    But HIS truth brings light over all those fearful secrets.  And HIS truth is found in one clear, graspable, comforting place.

Read His Bible.  Regularly.   Both deeply and lightly.  Both purposely and randomly.  With great study and almost thoughtlessly.  The dark fear of secrets will shrivel and be revealed as the smoke they are.  HIS Words are light.

Seek His truth, and Fear not.

Fear Not, Be Wise

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men… “ (Matthew 10:16,17 ESV)

Elisha’s servant Gehazi’s eyes must have opened very wide when he suddenly saw how much there was OUT there.  He thought he knew reality, but then God showed Gehazi the angel-armies, too.  I imagine Gehazi’s increase in awareness to be something like what I have experienced when I suddenly notice a termite incursion, or the rust growth beneath my car, or the weeds growing instead of lettuce.  I suspected something was there, but I didn’t know how much!

But this, “Fear Not” is not derived from Gehazi.  At this point in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus is sending His disciples out into the countryside.  And He begins by opening their eyes to the dangers they will face.  And while He could have warned them about any of His enemies, Jesus digs right down to the thing that will be most scary to the disciples.

Jesus says they will encounter trouble from the very community that to those disciples normally provided comfort, refuge, and hope.  The community of the disciples was the source of information, security, safety, and even love.  And Jesus warns them that their community was going to turn against them.

Today our comfort, refuge, and hope are usually found in more narrow places.  We find such things in our checkbook balance, our education, our leisure, and our job security.  But Jesus could be warning us, too.  It’s not merely that Covid-19 has threatened our peace as humans, but the combination of disease, government over-reach, and economic disaster threaten our peace as God’s People.  Social distancing threatens churches, which work best through community interaction.  Government over-reach threatens God’s people as religion seems to be particularly under their thumb.  And economic disaster threatens God’s people as money might be seen as the fuel that energizes God’s work.

Jesus could be telling us, too, there are monsters out there.  This is going to be rough.

In the next verses of Matthew 10 we find some particular, “Fear Nots.”  I plan to look at them over the next few days.  But Jesus isn’t scaring people just for the fun of it.  He opens the eyes of the disciples for the purpose of encouraging and challenging them. 

And already in the beginning of His warning, He gives them an answer to their fear.

The answer to fear lies in wisdom. 

Remember that wisdom is not being clever, or having common sense, or knowing what to ‘do.’  (Although I have recently heard all of those false definitions.)  Wisdom, according to the Bible, is listening to God.  The world’s way is foolishness.  God’s way is wisdom.

We’ll see how that plays out in Jesus,’ “Fear Nots” over then next few days… but His opening salvo is on target.  When every source of comfort is threatened, Jesus presents wisdom (God’s Way) as the answer.  

Among other things, God’s Way includes the verses we’ve been thinking about regarding fear.   Every time He has told us to, “fear not,” He has been saying, “Choose Wisdom.”  God’s Way offers hope because God is our only reliable hope.  God’s Way offers peace because all other peace fails.  God’s Way offers comfort because only God has power enough, knowledge enough, and love enough to truly help.

But most of all, God’s Way centers on Jesus.  Wisdom is exchanging our will for His.  Wisdom is listening to Him.  Wisdom is trusting Him.   Wisdom is Him.

Fear not, be wise.

Fear Not Because the Angel Said So

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20 ESV)

Joseph obviously was afraid.  In his society, marrying a pregnant woman would lower his status.  Particularly if one absolutely knew that he was not the baby’s father.  His carpenter business would suffer.  He would lose friends, lose opportunities, and lose respect.  The obviously safe choice for Joseph would be to her.  But Joseph’s love and affection for Mary caused him to be afraid of what would happen to her if he abandoned her.  She would be shunned by her community.  She would be outcast.  She would be alone.

And God sends Joseph what Joseph needs.  He sends an angel.  A being of spirit, usually invisible, that has a direct connection with Joseph’s almighty God Himself.   Most likely a seraphim, because this angel speaks instead of acts. 

And the message of that angel to the worrying and concerned and afraid Joseph is, “Fear Not!”  But not just a general “don’t be afraid.”  It’s a very specific, “Don’t be afraid to aid, assist, work for, and DO what is towards the Messiah.”  That is the subtext of, “from the Holy Spirit.” 

The angel’s “Fear Not” says nothing about Joseph’s emotion.  The angel’s “Fear Not” says everything about Joseph’s actions.  This is shown in what ends up happening.  “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife.” (Matthew 1:24 ESV)

Joseph faced down his fear by doing.  But not just doing “something.”  He did what took him closer to the Messiah and the Messiah’s work.  He did what focused Joseph’s life on God.  He did what advanced the Kingdom of God.  His actions were, “Step towards Jesus.”

When we are afraid, maybe that should influence our steps, too.  We are often afraid because we worry about the effects of our decisions.  But like Joseph, our answer to fear can be “do what takes us into Jesus’ orbit.”

Our good answer to fear has less to do with our reputation, financial situation, or calming our emotional fears… our good answer to fear has everything to do with Jesus.

Fear Not because the angel said so.

Fear Not... Get to Work

I’d like to propose to the Scientific Community a third type of fear response.  It is claimed that when faced with fear, our automatic response is either flight or fight.  But I see that a third response is freeze. Whether our fear is so PASSIONATE that we don’t dare run away OR attack (like when you wake up and a T-Rex is about to sharpen it’s teeth on your slippers,) or whether our fear is more of a low-boil (like when your fear of choosing the wrong door on a game show causes you to choose neither door #1 OR door #2.)

Fear causes so many reactions, but perhaps the most deadly occurs when fear makes us freeze.  Frozen folk don’t really respond… we don’t find victory, we don’t learn to face defeat, we don’t improve our situation, we can’t obey, we can’t build His kingdom, we can’t show faith, we can’t move towards hope, and we can’t love.

When we freeze we are luke-warm.  And we know what Christ thinks about His luke-warm followers.

The Old Testament prophets that we call, “minor,” have a major message to give us.  They spoke and wrote to people in crisis.  And apparently, some of those people were frozen.  Perhaps they were using their fear of Assyrians as buttress for laziness.  Perhaps they were using their fear of having to change as an anchor for their foolishness.  Perhaps they were using their fear of being wrong as a defense of error.  But an astonishing number of these prophets weave an unusual solution to fear in their messages.

They say, “Don’t fear… get to work.”

Zephaniah says, “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.” (Zeph 3:16 ESV)

Zechariah says, “Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” (Zech 8:13 ESV)

Joel even tells the animals to fear not and get to work: : “Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.” (Joel 2:22)

God saves His people.  Because there is work to be done.

Fear not… get to work.

Fear Not, because of Yesterday

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! (Joel 2:21)

Fear Not because of Yesterday

I didn’t trust my 1978 Jeep Cherokee.  The only reliable thing about it was the fact that it was unreliable.  No matter the season, the weather, or how long it had been since I’d driven it, I was afraid it wouldn’t start.  Or that it would stall.  Or that it would make this strange noise (a sort of gurgley-bang) and suddenly accelerate.  The headlights would sometimes blink, and the interior lights were usually on. 

But I trust my Honda Accord.  The engines purrs to life exactly when I need it to.  It has never stalled.  The accessories accessorize.  The headlights, turn-signals, heater, and the interior lights adjust to a finger’s touch.  The features… feat?

I trust the Accord (and didn’t trust the Cherokee) for one reason:  yesterday.  I didn’t wake up suddenly with trust (or mistrust.)  Yesterday’s activities cause tomorrow’s trust.  And yesterday’s activities cause tomorrow’s fear.

The history of God is, simply, that the Lord has done great things.  When the prophet Joel recalls God’s great things, he probably would prefer we would capitalize the words like this:  The Lord has done GREAT THINGS.

The Creation of all things out of nothing, from galaxies to quarks.  The Grace and Mercy of Adam’s fall and promise of Redemption.   Astonishingly, God’s promise to Adam was fulfilled thousands of years before the death needed to pay for Adam’s sin occurred.  Adam was saved on credit!  God’s formation, protection, and development of a people before it was cool to BE a nation.  He guided Israel through wealth to slavery to freedom to training to coming home to peace to prosperity to power to POWER through rebellion through patience through prophets through last chances to the end of last chanches to exile… through waiting… to return to fulfillment to FULFILLMENT to a new type of nation to you.

And I skipped a lot of things.

But I am not sure that Joel was merely thinking of that history (some of which he hadn’t experienced, of course.)  But I expect Joel was thinking about what God had done personally to Joel.  And locally around Joel.  And in sight of Joel.  And in Joel’s hearing.

Joel had seen that God was good.  All the time.   And all the time, God was good.

When sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, that fear can be met with our knowledge of yesterday.  Whether our own yesterday, or yesteryear.  God has done GREAT THINGS.

So fear not.

Fear Not, because of Christ's Bride

Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news;

       lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news;

lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah,

“Behold your God!” (Isaiah 40:9 ESV)

The church today needs a new PR director.  Churches are portrayed in entertainment as, well… entertaining.  Something to laugh at.  Something outdated, irrelevant, toothless, unhelpful and absolutely unnecessary.

I think it’s our own fault.  We have spent decades compromising, defining our truths according to the world’s definitions, and most of all forgetting the Majesty of the One we follow.

We fear the competition (God’s Word doesn’t seem as interesting as Netflix!)  We fear being wrong (the humanist community seem so confident!) We fear offending (Sin almost has become a democratically defined event…) And we fear that the invisible, foundational, and deep God we love is not as attractive, practical, and graspable as anything and everything else.

But really this is nothing new.  The people in Isaiah’s day feared the same thing. 

Not only do we seem to have so many HUGE things to fear lately, but the very thing God has given us to find hope has become lost. 

But don’t despair, says Isaiah.

He describes someone bringing good news.  Good news in the context of fear.  In fact, the good news IS: Don’t be afraid. 

But notice something about that good news.   It is news associated with a particular place.  The news is supposed to be brought up to a high mountain, to Jerusalem, to the cities of Judah.  Not only are Jerusalem and the Judean cities symbolic of God’s people, but so is the mountain.  It’s not any old hill.  It’s one of two places… whenever Isaiah talks about a high mountain he either means the Temple Mount, or Mount Sinai.  To me, it doesn’t matter which one you choose.

These are all pictures of God being with His people.

Good news, opposing fear, is found where God is present with His people.  He sends His good news directly to His people.  In Isaiah’s time, to the temple.  In our time, to the church.  Not near the church.  Not to church-imitating self-help studios.

But to the church.  “Behold your God,” Isaiah says… The good news is being sent here.

And when we recall that the real bringer of good news is the Messiah, and the Mountain, Zion, and cities of Judah are His Bride… it’s even a better picture.

The church has the job right now of bringing God’s hope, fighting against fear.  Come listen.

Fear Not because God says so

These verses from Isaiah are THE anti-fear verses in Scripture.  I tried for quite a while to comment on them, describe them, make them more understandable.  But I couldn’t find words.  Maybe because these are enough.   Isaiah reminds me of where I came from, and who God is to me.  I urge you to not skim them.  Truth is often found in repetition.  So here is Isaiah 41:8-10.  Eight times from different translations.  Fear Not.  God says so.

But you, Israel, my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

9     you whom I took from the ends of the earth,

and called from its farthest corners,

       saying to you, “You are my servant,

I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

10    fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

       I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

         “But you, Israel, are my servant.

                        You’re Jacob, my first choice,

                        descendants of my good friend Abraham.

                  I pulled you in from all over the world,

                        called you in from every dark corner of the earth,

                  Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.

                        I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’

                  Don’t panic. I’m with you.

                        There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

                  I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.

                        I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

8 But you, Israel, my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

descendant of Abraham, my friend—

9 I brought you from the ends of the earth

and called you from its farthest corners.

I said to you: You are my servant;

I have chosen you; I haven’t rejected you.

10 Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you; I will help you;

I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

8 But you, Israel my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

offspring of Abraham, whom I love,

9 you whom I took

from the ends of the earth

and called from its farthest corners,

saying to you, “You are my servant;

I chose you and didn’t reject you:”

10 Don’t fear, because I am with you;

don’t be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

I will surely help you;

I will hold you

with my righteous strong hand.

8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen,

you, the ⌊offspring⌋ of Abraham my ⌊friend⌋,

9 you whom I grasped from the ends of the earth

and called from its remotest parts

and told, “You are my servant;

I have chosen you and I have not rejected you.”

10 You must not fear, for I am with you;

you must not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, indeed I will help you,

indeed I will take hold of you with the right hand of my salvation.

8     “But you, Israel, are My servant,

Jacob whom I have chosen,

The descendants of Abraham My friend.

9    You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,

And called from its farthest regions,

And said to you,

‘You are My servant,

I have chosen you and have not cast you away:

10   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.’

8 —And thou, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, Seed of Abraham, My lover, 9Whom I have taken hold of, from the ends of the earth, And from its near places I have called thee, And I say to thee, My servant Thou art, I have chosen thee, and not rejected thee.

      10 Be not afraid, for with thee I am, Look not around, for I am thy God, I have strengthened thee, Yea, I have helped thee, yea, I upheld thee, With the right hand of My righteousness.

8 But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham My friend, [Heb. 2:16; James 2:23.]

9 You whom I [the Lord] have taken from the ends of the earth and have called from the corners of it, and said to you, You are My servant—I have chosen you and not cast you off [even though you are exiled].

10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

The English Standard Version, The Message, The Christian Standard Bible, The Common English Bible, The Lexham English Bible, the New King James Version, Young’s Literal Translation, and the Amplified Bible.

Fear Not, because of Work and Prayer

Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,

“Be strong; fear not!

Behold, your God

will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God.

He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:3–4)

I didn’t know how I was going to move that HUGE block of concrete a few yards, to make a planter for DeAnne.  The block was actually the foundation/frame of the original well for our house, and rather than destroy it, we had decided to make use of it.  But having decided, I found out I couldn’t move it one inch.  I tried pushing.  I tried pulling.  I tried the mechanical aids I had at my disposal. 

But then I asked for help.  I hired a Man with a Machine.  As big as the block was, THIS machine was bigger!   I called.  He came.  We conquered!

But from the moment I made contact with him, my heart found peace.  At least in the whole ‘block-moving’ arena.  I no longer worried.  I no longer felt the shame of my failure.  I no longer feared.  I just had to get to work.

Isaiah was speaking to people who, having heard his warnings, were afraid.  A monstrous (in size and temperament) enemy was going to smash God’s people.  God’s patience, perhaps, had reached the end.  And discipline was coming.  And was there. 

And is here.

So you, like them, might be afraid.  This discipline might not be as bad as some first feared.  It might be worse than anticipated.  The people of God aren’t facing an enemy nation, but we are facing an enemy worldview, a threatening mindset, a devastated economy, and a serious health disaster.   And while Isaiah isn’t standing in our churches shouting… his warnings against God’s people drifting, shifting, and forgetting Him seem to be speaking into our ears.  If we have ears to hear.

And Isaiah was told to tell US, too, not to fear.

But that doesn’t mean, “relax and do nothing… it’s alright… take a deep breath and smile.  Oh, and watch some Netflix… it’ll all be over soon.”

He describes what to do about our fear immediately before and after he encourages us to, “fear not.”

First, he reminds us that it is GOD who saves.  He uses many methods to save us from various troubles, but all methods are attached to and strung from HIM.   We can choose to stop being afraid when we know that He will come and save us.  That He HAS come and saved us.

Secondly, Isaiah demonstrates what our part in our own help is.   He refers to strengthening our hands, and firming our knees.  I don’t believe that Isaiah is randomly mentioning body parts. 

Our hands symbolize our work.  Doing the next right thing that we are called to do.  Not so much pondering those things that are too wonderful for us, but doing our work.   Perhaps we would be less afraid if we were at work.  There is nothing wrong with thinking, or reasoning, or studying… but here Isaiah seems to be saying that we meet fear NOT with more knowledge, or understanding, or special insight.  But knowing God, we work.  Understanding His Word, we work.  The Holy Spirit’s insights give us reason and impetus to work.

And Isaiah’s reference to our knees remind us, perhaps, of prayer.  On our knees in supplication.  On our knees in worship.  On our knees in humble approach to the Mighty King.  We can meet fear with humble adoring prayer and worship.

It’s interesting that both of Isaiah’s directions for meeting fear have little to do with the actual problem causing the fear.

He’s saying, “Fear not!  Whatever you face, God will save you!  Pray/worship… and do your work.

Fear Not... because there is a Conspiracy

 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.  But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:11–14 ESV).

Fear Not, because there is a Conspiracy!

What do you think of conspiracies?  Theories about them are more common today than mosquitoes.  And maybe just as annoying.   I once quipped, “I don’t believe in conspiracies… people just plan stuff.”  If you listen to ‘the news’ you WILL hear about conspiracies today.  Both sides claim the other side has them.  All sides claim someone else is planning stuff. 

And when my search for ‘fear not’ in God’s message to us brought the word CONSPIRACY to my eyes, I was uncomfortable.  What is Isaiah saying, here?  What is GOD saying here?  Are conspiracies real?  Are conspiracies worth fearing?  Are conspiracies behind our present crises? 

CONSPIRACY refers to behind-the-scenes reason(s) why things happen.  Or might be happening.  Or could be happening.  Noting a conspiracy is both more and less than simply suspecting that a cabal of cigar-smoking (or Kale-eating) powermongers are controlling the press, economics, and government policy.  Hunting for a conspiracy means that you don’t trust your eyes, your ears, and the news to be telling you what REALLY is happening… WHY things are happening… WHO is really the ACTOR in current events.

In Isaiah’s time, apparently some folk were afraid because they observed that society has puppet-masters.  Things don’t just happen.  Some people have more power than others.  (Often hidden from public view.) 

And knowing (or suspecting) those conspiracies is usually the same thing as fearing them.  No one notes a conspiracy and says, “wow… cool!  I feel SO much better knowing that someone is busy offstage!”

So Isaiah adds Conspiracies to the list of things we should not fear.

It’s like God had this era in mind when He inspired Isaiah’s speech.  Because we live in a day of fear of conspiracy. 

There IS a conspiracy!  It’s God.  Whether or not the Democrats or Republicans are up to something is irrelevant. 

Because there IS a reason every single thing is happening.   It’s God.  The puppet-master, the planner, the driver of events, economy, and government policy is God Himself.

Interesting that in Isaiah’s paragraph we see instructions of “do not fear” and “fear.”

Isaiah doesn’t say there are NOT conspiracies.  (as much as I want him to…)

He says there is a conspiracy that is WORTH fearing.  Something behind the scenes unseen, unnoticed, with an agenda!  An agenda that is purely and simply FOR HIS OWN GLORY.  But also, according to Paul (and ALL of God’s Word) for the grand, glorious, GOOD of His People! 

Fear it?  Only in exactly the same way that we might be fearing the smaller conspiracies.  But when we consider the commonly feared conspiracies, put them in the right perspective.  What power THEY have, He has MORE!  What skill they have, HE has MORE!  What control THEY have, He laughs at and incorporates into HIS control. 

So how does fearing HIM decrease our Fear?

Because those conspiracies are selfish, greedy, power-absorbing, and unknown. 

But HIS conspiracy is love! Provision! ALREADY power! And known!

Look around you and suspect conspiracies if you wish… but let those searches remind you of HIM.  Let those conspiracies (like EVERYTHING in creation!) point you to The One True Living God, Jahweh… known and approached and found through His Son, Jesus the Christ.  The King behind the scenes and on the front of the stage!

Fear not, because He is THE conspiracy!

Fear Not, because God Wins the Time War

And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. (Isaiah 7:4 ESV)

Fear Not, because of Time.

I used to be afraid of roller coasters.  Even though I couldn’t seem to stop myself from riding, those moments just before reaching the first apex were simply eye-widening terror.  But eventually I realized that no matter how terrible the terror, it didn’t last long.  Even when it seemed to last forever, roller coasters are quite fast.  The longest lasting roller coaster in the world is the Steel Dragon 2000 in Japan.  It lasts less than four minutes.

Why be afraid of something that only lasts four minutes?

Isaiah is making the same point to King Ahaz.  He’s being attacked by two powerful nations.  Fierce, experienced, and cruel, Ahaz’s enemies were the threat of the age.  But as awe-inspiring as the threats of  Syria (King Rezin) and Israel (King Remaliah) were, they would be minimized in less than 65 years.  God, on the other hand, lives forever.  Ahaz doesn’t need to fear something that is gone in the blink of an eye, compared to God.

The same is true for almost anything we are afraid of today.  These things that we fear are but a blink of an eye, compared to our eternal God.

The wrong President in Power?  … blink…

A political plan? … blink…

A pandemic? … blink…

Economic ebb and flow? … blink…

A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? … blink…

In fact, God’s existence in eternity is the trump card for any fear that knocks at our door.  While our troubles are scary, when we remember that we join God in eternal life from the point of our conversion onward, their emotional power fades away.

After 10,000 years in heaven we won’t have any reason to remember the Pandemic of 2020.  Any more than here on earth people remember Ozymandias.  We remember this powerful ancient king from a hint in a poem, and a ruin in a desert.  His (probably) terrifying reign was but a blink of an eye. 

Fear not, because God wins the time war.

Don't Be Afraid, Oh Birds

  He will cover you with His pinions,

and under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. (Psalm 91:4–6 ESV)

Birds are skittish, right?  I have never had a bird as a pet, but from my observation of birds, they run first, and ask questions later.  If I walk towards a bird, even with good intentions, a bird will fly. 

Maybe that’s why Psalm 91 is written about birds.  Because we are often skittish, like birds.  When we think an enemy is nigh, we commonly flee.  Perhaps by putting our head in the sand.   Perhaps by squawking loudly and getting ready to jump.  Perhaps by running towards the problem, with the hope that IT will be more skittish than us…

I am wondering whether or not we should change the phrase to: “Scaredy-bird.”

But even for emotional birds, Christ is a comfort.  He covers us with HIS pinions.  We find refuge under HIS wings.  HE is a shield.   The night doesn’t have anything He can’t handle.  The dangers that ‘hunt’ us will fail.  Diseases that are shadowy, unknown, and unseen aren’t stronger than Him.  And the exhaustion of our wasting energy at midday can’t destroy anyone He is protecting.

Notice that the Psalmist doesn’t tell us all the things WE need to do for Christ’s protection.  Our arms don’t hold effective shields.  We can’t see in the dark.  We can’t understand the mysteries of the unknown.  We can’t renew our own strength.

Another Psalm continues this bird theme when we read that in HIM, our strength will rise up like an eagle.  His strength, transferred somehow to us.

Admit we are like birds… and hide under HIS wings.

Fear Not.  Don’t be a bird anymore.

Don't Be Afraid... the Resurrection!

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20:14–16).

Admittedly, Jesus did not say, “Fear Not” to Mary.  But really, isn’t that what He was saying?  Fear not… grieve not… worry not… yearn no more… I’m Here Again!

There’s a lot in that one word, “Mary.”

Just like there is a lot in that one moment of Christ’s Resurrection.  It’s one microsecond of an event.  But it changes everything.

The WORST thing that can happen, death, is de-fanged.

The WORST result of our sin, death, is changed.

The WORST enemy of God and God’s people, is vanquished.

So no matter what you are facing… no matter how bad your morning… no matter what trouble, pain, worry, or low expectations are keeping you from joy, Jesus is looking at you and saying your name.  But what He means is, “Fear Not.”

Don’t be afraid… because of the Resurrection.