Fear Not
Heavenly angels must be terrifying creatures because whenever they appear to people, their first words are usually “Don’t be afraid”.
Luke 1: 30 - “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.’”
Luke 2: 10-12 - “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’”
But they aren’t the only ones to try and calm our fears elicited by a fear of God or God’s messengers. Throughout the Bible, we are repeatedly told by prophets, psalmists, and even Jesus to not be afraid.
While fear can be a helpful emotion, alerting us to danger and encouraging us to find safety, fear is often used as a means to manipulate us. The pattern is well established. First, fear oriented leaders tell us what to fear and next they explain how to alleviate our fear by doing something that benefits them. Fear is used throughout our culture. From tyrannical bosses in fast food restaurants (yep, I’ve experienced that) to political leaders and the media, fear keeps people under control and loyal to the leader. Violence, threats, intimidation, and other forms of persecution reinforce the need to fear.
Today, anxiety in our society is high - especially among young people. A recent study by the Springtide Institute found that 55% of young people say they are moderately or extremely anxious. (The State of Religion & Young People: Mental Health: What Faith Leaders Need to Know by the Springtide Research Institute 2022) Leaders use this fear to try and control people by promising to alleviate it if you simply do as they say. Some, leaders turn to the Bible as a source to inspire fear and compliance. If we don’t fear them, perhaps we will fear God and do what they tell us God wants…
Examples of this are everywhere. Today a website I happened upon said this: “Spiritual warfare is real, and the only way to fight darkness in your life is with truth. Download this free guide to spiritual warfare for practical resources to strengthen your defenses against spiritual attack.”
I did not download the free guide.
However, over the years I have made a point of copying down God’s promises from the Bible and grouping them by category. Here are some of God’s promises regarding fear:
Isaiah 41:10 - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 23:4 - “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 46:1-3- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
John 14:27 - “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:13 - “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Hebrews 13:6 - “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””
Deuteronomy 3:22 - “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”
2Chronicals 20:15 - “And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.’”
Luke 12:32 - “(Jesus says), “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Lamentations 3:57 - God’s people remembering God’s actions: “You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.””
Psalm 56:3-4 - “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Haggai 2:5 - “‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’”
Luke 12:7 - “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Jeremiah 1:8 - “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
Acts 18:9 - “And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent…”
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
Reflecting on these passages from the Bible, I realize that my hope is not in a spiritual leader to tell me how to use my faith in God to combat the forces of evil. My hope is that God has already fought the battle and won. The quotes above and more are ample evidence of that truth, that we don’t need to fear because God is with us and God loves us so, God will care for us.
Yet even as we are told not to fear the people or things happening in the world, we are also exhorted to fear God.
Exodous 20:20 - “Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
Psalm 34:9 - “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.”
1 Samuel 12:24 - “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”
Deuteronomy 17:12-13 - “Anyone who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the Lord your God is to be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not be contemptuous again.”
Deuteronomy 10: 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”
Ecclesiastes 12.13: - “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.”
Tobit 4.21 - “Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have great wealth if you fear God and flee from every sin and do what is good in the sight of the Lord your God.”
Perhaps Tobit puts it best when he tells us both to not be afraid and to fear God. This kind of fear comes from a sense of awe and a place or respect. This is the same kind of fear expressed by the disciples in this story: Mark 4:39-41 - “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!””
While our souls still tremble with fear, it is is less a feeling of terror and more a feeling of awe - though it can be a fine line.
Our fear of God isn’t simply a tool God uses to gain compliance from an unruly people, but it is also a description of the nature of our relationship with God. When we become truly aware of God’s presence we, like so many Biblical characters, can’t help but respond with fear out of respect and awe.
Jesus encourages us to think of God as a father and the fourth commandment asks us to honor or respect our parents. We are indeed called to both fear and love the Lord. When we respond to God’s presence in this way, we are engaging with God in relationship. Our relationship with God always begins on our knees. While God invites us to stand and co-create with God, throughout our relationship we are regularly called back to our knees. When we see Jesus as our “buddy” it is too easy to forget the power and majesty and mystery of God. If we forget who God is, then we can not truly be in relationship with God.
Healthy faith in God is a balance of respect, awe and sometimes even literal fear of God balanced by hope and trust in God to keep us in right relationship. God does not use our fear to control us. Rather, God appreciates our reverence and returns our love. This is the foundation of a transformational relationship between people and God which ultimately changes everything. When we are in right relationship with God, the world shall be as God has always intended. As spoken through Jerimiah 30:22: “You will be my people, and I shall be your God.”
