No Fear

"Fear not the reproach of mankind, or be terrified by their insults."  -Isaiah 51:7

"Fear not."  This is easier said that done!  There is so much to fear.  What if I get sick?  What if things go badly at work?  What if people don't like me?  What if I say the wrong thing?  What if someone attacks me?  What if I'm robbed?  What if I get in a car crash?  What if something happens to my family or my friends?  What I mess up and I can't make things right?

Life is scary.  There are threats to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being all around us.  I am afraid often.  And yet, despite all there is to fear, God tells us, "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 40:10)

This also reminds me of a song I learned as a child.  "Have no fear little flock.  Have no fear little flock, for the Father has promised to give you the kingdom.  Have no fear little flock."

We are little, not because of fear, but because we are human.  When fear makes us feel little and afraid, we should remember that we can only turn to God, someone much bigger and greater than we, for true comfort and eternal safety.

We are still going to be afraid from time to time.  We are still going to encounter hardships.  Yet in Christ, we stand up to the spiritual things, to sin, to evil, to death itself, and we can believe it when we say, "You don't win.  Not today.  Not ever."  The physical and emotional may still get us, but the spiritual never will.  In Christ, our eternal victory is secure.  Our Father has promised to give us the kingdom.  Have no fear, little flock.

Inspired by the sermon delivered by St. Mark Lutheran Church's pastor Kevin Lentz, 9/11/2016