Do Not Fear
As we slowly turn the calendar from January to February, I am wrapping up last year’s Bible reading plan. Last year I decided to map out each time I read the phrase: Do not be afraid, Do not despair, Do not be dismayed, Do not worry, Do not be anxious, Be safe and free from fear and I will not be shaken. You get the picture.
My very unscientific map was actually a handwritten list on the backside of my reading plan using my not one but three fabric bags of colored pens and highlighters. The reason for my map, a battle with, well… fear. As I was praying for a health situation for a loved one, my Amens were swallowed up with fear. There were moments of peace and expectation, but also moments of despair. The kind of soul crushing fear that comes when a health diagnosis leaves you unable to swallow even when your brain is telling your throat to obey.
The journey mined the deep places of my heart, as is oftentimes the case when we dig deeply and the Lord graciously meets us.
At the end of the year, I decided to count the number of times scripture says, “Do not fear,” expecting the neat and tidy 356 times we’ve all ben led to believe, and to my surprise, the number was actually 145. I’ve crossed out Judges 4:18 – “Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, ‘Come, my lord, come right in. Don’t be afraid.’ So he entered her tent and she covered him with a blanket.” Even though she is giving major warrior vibes, her words are not exactly in keeping with my list.
So my number is closer to 144.
My discovery comes with an encouragement for you, dear friends. Do not fear. Not because Scripture says DO NOT FEAR 365 times, but:
Because the Lord goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you and He will be WITH you wherever you go.’
Because the battle is not yours, but God’s
Because there is a greater power with us than with *fill in the blank*.
Because the Lord himself fights for our families, our sons and daughters, and our homes.
Because the Lord is the stronghold of our lives
Because He blesses us with peace
Because He is our rescue
Because His consolation brings us joy
Because the Lord himself, is our strength and our defense
Because the Lord my God himself will fight for us.
Because He is our God, He strengthens us and helps us; He will uphold us with His righteous right hand.
Because the Lord says, “you are mine”
Because He hears our words and he comes in response to them (I love this one from Daniel 10:12)
Because the very hairs of our head are all numbered and we are worth more than many sparrows.
Because He leaves Peace with us; not as the world gives
Because He has overcome the world
Because He cares for us
Because perfect love drives out fear
Because HE IS WITH US
Here’s my list of Do not be afraids, the Do not despairs, the Do not be dismayeds, the Do not worry, the Do not be anxious, the Be safe and free from fear and the I will not be shakens:
Genesis 15:1
Genesis 21:17
Genesis 26:24
Genesis 35:17
Genesis 43:23
Genesis 46:3
Genesis 50:19
Genesis 50:21
Exodus 14:13
Exodus 20:20
Leviticus 26:6
Number 14:9
Numbers 21:34
Deuteronomy 1:17
Deuteronomy 1:21
Deuteronomy 1:29
Deuteronomy 3:2
Deuteronomy 3:22
Deuteronomy 7:18
Deuteronomy 20:1
Deuteronomy 20:3
Deuteronomy 31:6
Deuteronomy 31:8
Joshua 1:9
Joshua 8:1
Joshua 10:8
Joshua 10:25
Joshua 11:6
Judges 4:18 (Jael to Sisera)
Judges 6:23
I Samuel 4:20
I Samuel 12:20
I Samuel 22:23
I Samuel 23:17
I Samuel 28:13
II Samuel 9:7
I Kings 17:13
II Kings 1:15
II Kings 6:16
II Kings 19:6
II Kings 25:24
I Chronicles 22:13
I Chronicles 28:20
II Chronicles 20:15
II Chronicles 20:17
II Chronicles 32:7
Nehemiah 4:14
Job 5:21
Job 11:15
Job 21:9
Psalm 3:6
Psalm 4:8
Psalm 16:7-9
Psalm 23:4
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 27:3
Psalm 29:11
Psalm 46:2
Psalm 49:16
Psalm 56:11
Psalm 78:53
Psalm 91:5
Psalm 94:19
Psalm 118:6
Psalm 119:165
Proverbs 3:24
Proverbs 3:25
Ecclesiastes 11:10
Isaiah 7:4
Isaiah 8:12
Isaiah 10:24
Isaiah 12:2
Isaiah 17:2
Isaiah 26:3
Isaiah 35:4
Isaiah 37:6
Isaiah 40:9
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 41:13
Isaiah 41:14
Isaiah 43:1
Isaiah 43:5
Isaiah 44:2
Isaiah 44:8
Isaiah 51:7
Isaiah 54:4
Isaiah 54:14
Jeremiah 1:8
Jeremiah 10:5
Jeremiah 17:8
Jeremiah 30:10
Jeremiah 40:9
Jeremiah 42:11
Jeremiah 46:27
Jeremiah 46:28
Jeremiah 51:46
Lamentations 3:57
Ezekiel 3:9
Daniel 10:12
Daniel 10:19
Joel 2:21-22
Zephaniah 3:16
Haggai 2:5
Zechariah 8:13
Zechariah 8:15
Malachi 3:5
Matthew 1:20
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 10:19
Matthew 10:26
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 10:31
Matthew 14:27
Matthew 17:7
Matthew 28:5
Matthew 28:10
Mark 5:36
Mark 6:50
Mark 13:11
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:30
Luke 2:10
Luke 5:10
Luke 8:50
Luke 12:4
Luke 12:7
Luke 12:11
Luke 12:32
John 6:20
John 12:15
John 14:27
John 16:33
Acts 18:9
Acts 20:10
Acts 27:24
Romans 5:1
Hebrews 13:6
Philippians 4:6
I Peter 3:6
I Peter 3:14
I Peter 5:7
1 John 4:18
Revelation 1:17
Revelation 1:17