Don’t Be Afraid in the Bible
Fear not, God is with you. God came to Abram in a vision and said, Fear not. He was coming with vengeance, recompense, and salvation. He came to save Abram. His words inspired people to fear God and follow him. Today, we can emulate this example. If you fear God, fear not. God will come to save you. In the Bible, we see many examples of God being with us.
Fear not
Fear not is an imperative that Jesus gives to His disciples, so it’s important to take it literally. We live in a world where there are many reasons to be afraid: the failing economy, bad doctor reports, political prognosticators, and terrorist threats. But for followers of Christ, there are much greater reasons to fear not. God will never fail us and He is always there to help us. He is the First and the Last, and He knows every person by name. He will take us to heaven where we will never feel fear.
“Fear not” is a phrase that the Bible uses frequently. The word “angel” is derived from the Greek word aggelos, which means “messenger” or “delegate”. In the New Testament, the first appearance of an angel is in Matthew chapter 1. The angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him not to fear Mary, his wife. “Fear not,” is the first phrase that follows any appearance of an angel to a human.
Fear was a major obstacle for the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt, but God encouraged them to trust Him and move forward. They were able to move on, despite the fact that they faced a powerful king and a mighty enemy.
Do not tremble
There are times when a Christian will be tempted to tremble when reading the Bible. This is not a sign of slavish fear, but of a reverence that arises when one encounters God’s Word. For example, in Acts 7:32, Moses heard God’s word from a burning bush. In Hebrews 12:21, he was frightened when God spoke to him at Sinai.
If someone trembles in the Bible, he or she has heard the voice of God and read the holy laws. These individuals have been horrified to realize how far they have fallen short of the glory of God. If this is the case, it’s time to repent and turn to the Lord.
The Bible tells us that the fear of God is an important part of the new covenant blessing. The right fear of God drives the sinner toward God with love. It’s the right response to a full revelation of God. Fear of God isn’t groveling, but is an appropriate response to God’s goodness and power.
In the Bible, we learn that the Lord makes his throne in our heart, and our conscience is his footstool. He also compared man to a temple. These words are quite striking and can astonish those who read them carefully.
Fear God
The word fear is used to describe God throughout the Bible. Its meaning is often both positive and negative, depending on the context. In the O Testament, the word “fear” appears 180 times, but that number doesn’t necessarily reflect the number of instances. The word is also used to refer to respect for political leaders.
The Bible speaks of fearing God in two different ways: as an action or as an attitude. If we’re speaking of an action, then fear means that you’re submitting to the authority of God. For instance, in Mt 10:28-29, the word “fear” referred to Gentile converts to Judaism. Fearing God in those times was not the same as embracing Israel. In fact, Rev 15:4 equates the term “fear” with worshipping the omnipotent God.
Whether we realize it or not, we fear God. We can see this in the lives of millions of religious people who believe that they can earn their way to heaven by good works. These people fear God so much that they try to live as good as they can. Those who fear the Lord are quickened and holy.
Moreover, the fear of God comes from filial fear. This is the inclination of the heart that is generated by God in His children to keep God happy. While filial fear is the opposite of fearless fear, it is a legitimate emotion that should be present in the heart.
Fear not to take unto you Mary thy wife
When Joseph found Mary pregnant, he initially thought about sending her away, but then a messenger reassured him that they would remain together. The phrase “fear not to take unto you Mary thy wife” occurs throughout the Bible, and it could refer to marital relations or a matrimonial ceremony. However, it could also refer to Mary being found with the child.
The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary home. This angel explained that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that there was nothing to be afraid of. Joseph was happy, and Mary remained faithful to her promise.
This angel also assured Mary that she would be welcomed and would have favor with God. When the angel came, Mary was perplexed, but was not frightened. He then told her not to fear, and that she would give birth to a son, whom she will name John. The birth of John would be a cause of joy and celebration, and many people would rejoice over her arrival.
The angel instructed Joseph to take Mary home, but not to call her Mary until her firstborn son was born. Until that time, Joseph had no idea of his wife, and had to take her as his wife. The baby was not named until after she gave birth to her firstborn, whom he named Jesus.
Be not soon shaken in mind or troubled by spirit
If you have ever wished you could be free of fear, don’t fret. In the Bible, you can read about people who were fearless and courageous. The story of Moses is one such example. The Bible tells us that Moses’ parents hid him for three months before taking him out of Egypt. Moreover, the story of his departure from Egypt is mentioned in Hebrews 11:27. Similarly, believers in Jesus are told not to be troubled by the people who oppose them.
Throughout the Bible, we are told not to be afraid, and yet, there are plenty of reasons to be afraid. For example, Abraham was told to leave his homeland without knowing where he would go. In another passage, Moses had to face a powerful ruler. The Bible also tells us not to be afraid of wild animals. Mary and Joseph were also under public scrutiny as the parents of the Messiah.
When we feel fear, we should remember that God is with us. He is with us even when we can’t see Him. We should also remember that if we are in His presence, He will strengthen us and keep us from being afraid. For this reason, it is best to present our requests in prayer, petition, and thanksgiving.
Don’t be afraid in the Bible means believing that God will fight for us and rescue us. He will fight for us, as he fought for the Israelites in Egypt and through the wilderness. And He will protect us from the enemy, if we trust Him.
Be not afraid of the Assyrians
The Lord tells his people in the Bible: “Be not afraid of the Assyrians!” He tells them that they must not fear the mighty army or the mighty king of Assyria. God will punish them and they will become a shadow of their former selves. But the Lord will spare the remnant of his people – Israel!
The Israelites were enslaved by the Assyrians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. Despite their oppression, they did not go into battle with them. The Israelites did not consider Nebuchadnezzar to be more than a man. Moreover, Nebuchadnezzar’s ambassadors were sent back with disgrace. In addition to that, Nebuchadnezzar had been talking about avenging himself on earth.
The Assyrians’ response to Ahaz’s threats was not a wise one. His fear led him to make a mistake. He had not taken the time to consult God, and so he acted irrationally. He made a mistake by making an alliance with the Assyrians, the most powerful and ruthless country in the Ancient Near East. The Assyrians eventually turned against him. It would have been far better for Ahaz to have listened to God, and have not rushed to make a decision.
The Assyrian King Sennacherib led a massive invasion force to suppress Judah’s revolt. The prism stone he left behind details his victories. He also boasted of his siege engines and scores of chariots. The Assyrian army was a match for any country and he managed to overwhelm Judah’s fortified cities.