Don’t Be Afraid
Proverbs says, “What sins you cover, God will uncover,” but it also goes on to say that “what sins you are willing to uncover God will cover.” God is asking us to admit our fears. To acknowledge how they’ve controlled our actions, sometimes for the worse, and how they’ve eroded our trust in Him. He’s asking us to confess our sins, not so He can expose us, but to make us whole. Not to imprison us, but to make us free.
He wants to set us free from the sin, the guilt, and the worry that plague us. He wants that because He’s our Father and we’re His children. We’re members of His household. His most important possession in the whole world.
Matthew 10: 24-25 says, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!”
There’s an important lesson there. Things weren’t easy for Jesus, and we can expect that it won’t be easy for us. But there’s a comforting truth in that. It means we’re not going anywhere that Jesus hasn’t gone before us. We’re not going anywhere He hasn’t already cleared the way.
He faced the affronts to His reputation. He knows the struggles that come from family members and loved ones questioning His teachings and direction in life. He knows the kinds of pressures that people and authorities can exercise to try to sway us and turn public opinion against us. He knows what it’s like to be in need. To lose everything including your family, your friends, your livelihood and even your very life. He’s been there.
But unlike us, He didn’t give in to the pressure. Instead, He’s gone before us and cleared the way by victoriously facing and overcoming the same things we face so that He can give us His forgiving mercy and pour out His life-giving grace. Strengthening us with new resolve to live for Him again.
The thing is, we know who’s going to win in the end. Victory was already secured on the cross and guaranteed with an empty tomb. We know that The Word that’s whispered fearfully in many places around the world today will eventually triumph and be proclaimed with confidence from the rooftops.
We know that is a life-giving message we must share with those we care about. We know that it’s the one provision and protection that we can give to our loved ones that no one can take away.
Our life in this world will eventually end, one way or another. But nothing can take the life that will be ours in the world to come through faith in Christ Jesus. And that’s why we can have full faith and confidence when Jesus tells us: “Don’t be afraid.”
