Fear Not!

Fear not!  How can you "fear not" when it seems there is so much to fear?  When such evil things like happened in Newtown, Connecticut happen?  When children so young are taken from their parents?  When teachers are taken, protecting those who have been entrusted to them for six short hours each day?  When there is a doctor's appointment with the unknown looming?  When bills come that you don't know how you're going to pay?  How can you "fear not?!"  But that's what we're told to do!

Thousands of years ago, that's what a young girl was told...and then she was told, you will give birth to the Son of God, without even knowing a man.  In a culture where engagement was as permanent as marriage; where being "caught" with a man was punishable by death!  She was told "Fear not!"  That's what an elderly priest was told when he found out that his wife, well beyond child bearing years, would give birth to the one who would prepare the way for God's Son...and that he would be unable to speak until that child was born.  He was told, "Fear not!"  (Luke 1)

Thousands of years ago, that's what a group of shepherds were told when a multitude of angels filled the sky on a night when they were just doing their jobs...watching sheep, protecting their sheep, protecting each other..."Fear not!"  Why fear not...the promised Savior had been born!  The one to bring peace, the One to save us from sin, the One on whom all our hope is placed, the One who will carry ALL burdens, God's Son...Jesus!  (Luke 2)

God has been telling us to "Fear not" for thousands of years!  He spoke those words through the prophet Isaiah, to the Israelite people during years of war, uncertainty, famine...fear!  "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10) And again in Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those with anxious heart, 'Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.'"

It doesn't make sense to us!  But, God sent His Son Jesus into a world of evil to offer the only salvation, the only hope.  He sent Jesus to be the one atoning sacrifice for ALL the sins of the world!  If we but place our hope and trust in Him then we will be safe, forgiven, secure!  Yes, some sins have larger effect, are more heinous, rock us to our core more than others...but we all are in need of someone to save us...someone to bring us peace NOT of this world!  Jesus is that answer! 

"Peace I leave with you; My  peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I don't understand why hard things, struggles, or even tragic things like happen at Sandy Hook happen other than the world we live in now is evil.  But I do know that we have been given a Savior.  That Jesus sacrificed His life so that we might be saved.  That He has placed peace in my heart and that He tells us..."Fear not!"  Run to Him, hope in Him, and pray that His comfort would permeate the hearts of all who are grieving and his Peace would overcome all who are fearful!