Fear Not!

    One of the greatest problems Christians suffer from is fear. We are even taught from childhood to fear the consequences of doing wrong. Fear becomes a part of our lives and we are conditioned to be fearful of those superior to us. We can become so affected by fear that it controls our lives and prevents us from fulfilling all that God has prepared for us. It can grip us and deny freedom, which is the goal of Satan in the life of believers. If he can keep us from experiencing the liberty God has, we will be unusable for the kingdom of God. The Lord desires us to be free of fear by trusting in Him. For every fear God has a means to overcome.

   Luke 1:12-13 “And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”

   Fearing unanswered prayers is common but knowing that the Lord hears our prayers must be part of our Christian doctrine. He does hears us even though we may not get the answer in our time. His timing is always right.

   Luke 1:30 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”

     Mary was informed she would carry and give birth to the Messiah without knowing a man. It would be natural to fear the fulfillment of such an impossible act. Gabriel reminded Mary there was no reason to fear the limitless power of God. He will complete all He said He would do.

   Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

   Joseph feared taking Mary after her sharing the message the angel delivered to her. Gabriel then appeared to Joseph and confirmed the truth of Mary’s testimony and proclaimed to Joseph the will of the Father. Fear can keep us from following the Lord because we may not know the direction but we must always remember God’s ways are not ours and He is just in all He does. We can and should trust Him.

   This Christmas be not gripped with fear but be filled with the Spirit of God and trust His word. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”