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Fear is a common theme in the Bible. The Bible also shows us that in the middle of our fears, we are never alone. God is with us. There is such power in this promise from our Creator! I find it fascinating to learn about the various ways God‘s word tackles the topic of fear.
Whenever angels visit humans, their first words are almost always the same. They say, “Do not be afraid.” As humans, fear is a common first response to an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation. Throughout the Bible, angels first calm the anxieties of their listeners so that the rest of their words can be heard.
In Psalm 27, the psalmist encourages himself and his community saying, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
1 John 4 brings me back to the genuine power of God’s love. The author writes, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a). Our Creator’s love is unimaginably strong, and it has the power to drive out whatever frightens us the most.
This message is excerpted from “Fear in the Bible” by Emily Carson from the November 2021 Café online magazine. Today is the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost.