28 March, 2024

“˜Faith Up” to Your Fears

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by | 7 April, 2017 | 0 comments

Compiled by Doug Redford

Feeling fearful these days? That”s not unusual. Throughout the Bible we find stories of God”s people who were afraid. And again and again, God, one of his angels, or Jesus himself told the frightened follower, “Fear not.”

Here we”ve compiled a list of these fear-chasing challenges. You may want to look up some of these verses to see the whole story surrounding them. Or you may choose a couple to keep by your desk or on your mirror or in your pocket. Maybe memorizing one or two of these will remind you that God”s in control, no matter what fearful situation you”re facing.

To Abram: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

To Hagar: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy [Ishmael] crying as he lies there” (Genesis 21:17).

To Jacob: “I am God, the God of your father. . . . Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there” (Genesis 46:3).

To Moses: “Do not be afraid of him [Og, king of Bashan], for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land” (Numbers 21:34; cf. Deuteronomy 3:2).

To Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them [inhabitants of Canaan], for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6; cf. 31:7, 8, 23; Joshua 1:6, 7).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9; cf. 8:1; 10:8; 11:6).

To Gideon: “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die” (Judges 6:23).

To Hezekiah: “Do not be afraid of what you have heard””those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me” (2 Kings 19:6).

To Asa: “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

To Jehoshaphat: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God”s. . . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17).

To Isaiah: “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it” (Isaiah 8:12).

To Jeremiah: “Do not be afraid of them [those to whom I send you], for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8).

To Ezekiel: “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid. . . . Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people” (Ezekiel 2:6; cf. 3:9).

To Daniel: “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed. . . . Peace! Be strong now; be strong” (Daniel 10:19).

To those rebuilding the temple: “But now be strong, Zerubbabel. . . . Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land . . . and work. For I am with you” (Haggai 2:4).

“My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear” (Haggai 2:5).

“Do not be afraid, but let your [Judah and Israel”s] hands be strong” (Zechariah 8:13; cf. v. 15).

To Joseph: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

To Zechariah: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (Luke 1:13).

To Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30).

To the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).

To Simon Peter: “Don”t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:10).

To the disciples: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26; cf. Mark 4:40).

“Take courage! It is I. Don”t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27; cf. Mark 6:50; John 6:20).

To the friends of the paralytic: “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2).

To a sick woman: “Take heart, daughter, . . . your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:22).

To Jairus: “Don”t be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:36; cf. Luke 8:50).

To Peter, James, and John at the transfiguration: “Get up. . . . “Don”t be afraid” (Matthew 17:7).

To the women on resurrection morning: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:5, 6).

“Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10).

To Paul:  “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent” (Acts 18:9).

“Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

(Paul speaking) “Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “˜Do not be afraid, Paul”” (Acts 27:23, 24).

To John (in exile): “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last” (Revelation 1:17).

To all servants of the Lord: “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” (Isaiah 41:10).

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).

“So do not be afraid of them [those who oppose you], for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known” (Matthew 10:26).

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28; cf. Luke 12:4).

“So don”t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31; cf. Luke 12:7).

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

“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” (John 14:27).

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “˜Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened”” (1 Peter 3:14).

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. . . . Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor”s crown” (Revelation 2:10).

Doug Redford serves as minister with Highview Christian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.

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