In late 2023, society seems scared. Scared of…everything.
We’re scared (or supposed to be scared) of climate change. We’re scared (or supposed to be scared) of Donald Trump as president. We’re scared (or supposed to be scared) of COVID-19. For the rest of our lives, apparently, we are supposed to forever worry and fear over…everything.
With God, however, there is no need to be scared. In fact, He tells us hundreds of times in the Bible, “Do not fear.” But looking around, we see Christians as a large portion of those who are scared. Christianity has even been used as a weapon of sorts, being told that, “A true Christian would…” (fill in the blank: “take care of Mother Earth”; “never vote for Donald Trump”, or “mask up or get vaccinated for the safety of others”.
Not that long ago, those with no fear were called…”fearless.” It was a compliment. I remember being called fearless once, and it was a good feeling. But nowadays, a person is demonized for not being afraid.
The difference between the scared and the fearless is simple: the scared have information; the fearless have knowledge. What I mean by that is that information isn’t necessarily true while knowledge is. The scared fear the unknown but believe that they know what will happen. Satan lies and tells you what’s definitely for sure without a doubt going to happen. Or lies and tells you what definitely for sure without a doubt already happened. The fearless have the knowledge, whether that is not believing Satan’s lies or knowing that the future is unknown to all except God. God also provides us with discernment via proof to dispel the lies.
But the one big thing to help us stay grounded and not afraid to drive a gas-powered vehicle or to go out in public without being triple masked and quadruple boosted is the hundreds of times Scripture tells us, “do not fear.” Here are just a few examples:
Genesis 15:1: After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Exodus 23:27: I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
Numbers 21:34: And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not, for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Deuteronomy 3:2: And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Joshua 8:1: And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
Judges 6:10: And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
Do you understand? We are NOT to fear! We are not doing right by God when we fear. If you need a reminder, it’s all over the Bible.
The Armentrout Shout-out 