Do not be afraid
by Pastor Peter Bean
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It is I. Do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27).
Read Matthew 14:22–36
Are these the most comforting words in the Bible? It is not just the fact that these words were spoken to the disciples in a storm. But they are spoken so often to so many people and in so many different situations. For the moment, think about or talk about the occasions you know of in the Bible when the words ‘Do not be afraid’ are spoken. Then, share (with your family or a friend) when this has happened in your life, providing reassurance.
I am sure most of you know that the words ‘Do not be afraid’ occur 365 times in the Bible. Planned? Who knows? But what a great way to start or end each day of the year or to remind yourself at midday each day that Jesus says, ‘Do not be afraid’.
Here are some of the times they are spoken:
- to Elijah when he had to confront the king (2 Kings 1)
- to Jeremiah when he was called to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:8)
- to Joseph when told Mary would have a baby (Matthew 1)
- to the women at the tomb when Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:5,10)
- to John when Jesus gave him the words to speak to the churches (Revelation 1:17).
Again, and again, and again. I think God might want to be giving us a message. Spoken by God, by angels, by Jesus. Perhaps we can pick up on that and say these words to each other: Do not be afraid.
Of course, we do not need to be afraid because God is the creator, the provider, the life-giver, the one who inspires, and the giver of grace and forgiveness.
Do not be afraid. Instead, go into your day with confidence that God is with you and that the words of Jesus ring true again and again.
Thank you, God, for this reassurance. Help me to walk in confidence with you each day. Do not be afraid. Okay, God. Amen.
In the early months of the year, Peter is often out in the garden, watering, picking, pruning – chasing the birds away from his fruit! Or he could be indoors stewing, drying and preserving. Peter also enjoys walking the dog, riding his bike, reading and spending time with his family. To keep himself out of mischief, he is teaching himself piano and writing a paraphrase of each psalm – he is now up to Psalm 80.
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