Don't Be Afraid

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Continuing with Daniel 10, especially verse 12


The messenger from God about being treasured helped Daniel to stand, but he was still trembling. Daniel hears the reassuring words we all need to hear every day, “Don’t be afraid.”

Virtually every time an angel comes to speak to someone in the Bible, he begins with “fear not” or “be not afraid.” Seeing a being sent by God is not an ordinary experience and would likely cause a bit of fear, simply due to awe and wonder, if nothing else. But God does not come to us to cause us to fear. He comes to us to express what we need to hear – words of encouragement, direction, correction, comfort. We need to get past the fear to really hear what God wants to say to us.

If we are afraid to ask God to speak to us, what’s behind that? Are we afraid of what He might ask us to do? What we might have to give up? What He might show us about our inner hearts? If fear is our reaction, we must go back and reread the section before this and remind ourselves of God’s great love. God does not ask us or tell us to do anything without it coming from his everlasting love for us. Whatever we do for Him will have better results in the big picture than anything we do for ourselves without consulting Him. Whatever we give up for Him will help us to be more like Him. It’s a “cash for clunkers” program in the best sense of the phrase. Whatever we trade in will be replaced by something much better which is given through His great love. Don’t be afraid.

God does not ask us or tell us to do anything without it coming from his everlasting love for us.

Read each of these verses, slowly. One at a time. Let their truth sink in, not just into your mind, but into your heart. Journal about your private fears – about God, or about something else in your life. Consider how God will help you cast out those fears.

·       2 Timothy 1:6-7

·       1 John 4:16-19

·       Joshua 1:9


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