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The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
(Psalm 118:6, KJV )
When Sue's husband was seriously ill and undergoing surgery, she was filled with anxiety.
"Oh, I'm so afraid!" she cried to a friend.
Her friend nodded, gave her a knowing smile, and then asked her this:
"Do you know how many times the Scriptures say, 'Fear not,' or 'Do not be afraid'?"
Sue shook her head, “No.”
"It's a very curious number," her friend continued, "three hundred and sixty five times."
Sue was surprised. "But that's . . . "
"Yes, one for each day of the year," her friend replied, finishing her sentence.
There is one 'Fear not,' for every day of the year.
Is this a coincidence?
Perhaps, or perhaps not.
However, God does not want His people to be afraid.
Luke 24:36-40:
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Jesus wanted his disciples to know that His hands and feet were real, and that He was alive.
He wanted His disciples to know that He had conquered death and the grave.
He wanted them to know His Gospel was true and without any flaws.
Therefore we should “Fear not.”
A Prayer for the fearful in heart:
Loving God, help me that I may not live in fear, but instead, that I may trust only in you, all of my days. Amen
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