Do Not Be Afraid
I remember what it’s like to be so full of fear that I’m paralyzed. I believe that fear is an enemy of faith. There is an upside to fear – it causes me to slow down and focus. I learned that the Lord’s Presence pushes out fear.
The people of Israel learned this the hard way. They are in Moab about to embark on their conquest of the Promised Land and Moses is giving them some final instructions as well as a history lesson. He reminds them of the time before when they were at or near the same place. They sent spies into the land to check it out and 10 of the spies were seized with fear and only 2 spies were brave and bold. Check this out….
29 Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.’
32 In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, 33 who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. (Deuteronomy 1:29-32 NIV)
My wife & I had the opportunity to attend the John Berry Christmas concert at Mill Town Music Hall last evening. His encore song was a new release by JJ Weeks Band that really blessed me. The song is “Do Not Be Afraid” and it reminded me of the fear that Mary & Joseph must have faced as they gave birth to a baby that wasn’t their own. I was very encouraged to trust the Lord with my whole heart and not be afraid to walk in the way the Lord has called and directed. I’m so thankful that Mary & Joseph walked in faith and listened to the call of the Lord upon them.
I needed to be reminded to not be afraid or dismayed because Help is ALWAYS on the way. Check these lyrics out….
by Jason Weeks & Scotty Wilbanks
Shepherds in the field
Cattle on the hill
Stars up in the sky
Like diamonds in the nights
Then an angel appears
With a voice so clear
Peace on the earth
There’s no need to fear
For unto you
A Child is born
Do Not Be Afraid
Cause I bring Good News
A Savior is born
God’s gift to you
Do not be dismayed
Help Is On The Way
A Savior is born today
Good news – Do not be afraid
A brilliant star shown bright
To wise men in the night
They traveled far to see
The long awaited king
In a manger full of hay
Born this Christmas day
The name above all names
Let the whole world proclaim
That Christ is born
Do Not Be Afraid
Cause I bring Good News
A Savior is born
God’s gift to you
Do not be dismayed
Help Is On The Way
A Savior is born today
Good news – Do not be afraid
Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth
Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth
Do Not Be Afraid
Cause I bring Good News
A Savior is born
God’s gift to you
Do not be dismayed
Help Is On The Way
A Savior is born today
Good news – Do not be afraid
Pressing On!
Dwayne