DEVOTION/Do not fear, for I Am with you
What are your phobias?
Being frightened is no fun. Different people have different fears. Some people are afraid of the dark, so they sleep with a light on at night. Some people are frightened by snakes, while others might be afraid of wasps, dogs, spiders, or bats. Some people fear catching a cold, being alone during a thunderstorm, or flying in an airplane. People suffer from many kinds of fears. We call these fears “phobias.”
Some phobias are very unusual like the fear of the color purple (porphyophobia), chickens (alektorophobia), ice (pagophobia), or string (linonophobia). There is even a fear of teenagers (ephebiphobia). People can be frightened by just about anything.
Our Bible heroes were in many frightening situations
Many of our Bible heroes also had reasons to fear. Can you imagine how David felt standing in front of a giant? What about Joseph when he was sold to travelers going to a foreign country? Do you think Moses was frightened when he stood in the palace of Pharaoh and told him to let God’s people go? And how about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when they learned that they were about to be thrown into a blazing furnace? Each of these people had reasons to be afraid, and perhaps some of them were. But how did they handle their fears?
The Bible says when Moses was about to leave Egypt and Pharaoh behind: By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger (Hebrews 11:27). When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, they told the king: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it (Daniel 3:17).
These people teach us a valuable lesson about fear. Instead of focusing on their fears, they set their eyes on the one who removes fear. They trusted God to help them. They realized that no matter what might happen, God was on their side to care for them and protect them. They put their trust in Psalm 56:3, When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
God promises to guard and protect his people. Those who put their hope and trust in him will find help in times of fear. Isaiah 41:13 assures us: I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. In those moments when we become afraid, we remember that we have a loving and caring God who is always watching us and is prepared to take hold of our hand.
By Reynold R. Kremer