Jul
29
2009
Be Not Afraid
Once again, my friend Scotty has penned a prayer at just the right time for me–a prayer about fear. It’s so natural to be afraid even though the Bible tells us over 300 times ”be not afraid.” Scotty’s prayer gets to the heart of why Christians can live fearlessly. He quotes Revelation 1:17-18:
He placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Based on these two verses he writes:
Lord Jesus, how timely, stunning and encouraging to know that the most repeated command throughout the whole Bible is “Do not be afraid”. The angels spoke these words to startled shepherds at your birth, and you repeated the command to a devastated Mary on the morning of your resurrection, and now you speak these liberating words to my heart and conscience, “Do not be afraid!”
Because you are the First and the Last, Jesus, I don’t have to be afraid of anything in between. You are God, and I am not. You will never say “Oops” about anything in world history or in my own life. You never “try” to do anything. You never have to scratch your head in confusion. You never have to resort to plan B. You are perfectly executing your sovereign will, from naming the stars to numbering my hairs. Glory!
Because you are the Living One, who was dead and who is now alive forever, I don’t have to be afraid of judgment Day or this day. For your death on the cross is my judgment Day and your resurrection from the dead is my assurance of being eternally and fully accepted by God. Constantly sung over me by my Father, and all my brothers and sisters in you, is the most liberating of all lyrics, “There is now and forevermore NO condemnation for those who are in Christ!” Not only is there no condemnation, there is only full delight! Oh my goodness!
Because you hold the keys of death and Hades, Jesus, and to everything else, I don’t have to be afraid to die, or to live. You have robbed the grave of its victory, you have removed the sting of death, and you have defeated the devil and all the powers of darkness! I don’t have to be afraid of people. I don’t have to be afraid of failing. I don’t have to be afraid of getting old. Yes, yes, yes!
Place your right hand on me today in the gospel, that I might be freed more fully from my fears and live more fully to the praise of your glorious Name. Amen and Amen forever!
To live is Christ, to die is gain!
8 Comments
This simple command is so easy to forget. What frail and frightened creatures we are. Thanks for sharing this pastor! Know that we are praying for you too.
Thanks for sharing this. I just blogged about fear a few days ago. It’s something that affects so many people. I’ve been helped immensely by a new book Max Lucado is writing called Fearless. It hasn’t been released yet, but there’s a link to the first chapter on his web page.
Keep preaching the truth Tullian. Those that are for ushering in this new era are behind you 150%.
Galations 5 addresses Freedom in Christ and my prayer is for strength and guidance to “remain in step with the Spirit”. The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. Rather than bearing a spirit of fear (or any other resemblance to the old self), may He enable us with His power to bear the fruit of the spirit. You ALL remain in my prayers!
Perfectly Stunning.
Continuing to pray on your behalf and trusting God for it all.
I get cought in this fear trap more often than I like to admit. These words are incredibly inspiring to me! They again offer a hope that no one or no thing can ever take away the most precious gift He has given! I thank God for his ways of speaking to me through men like Scotty. Thanks Tullian for sharing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (New King James Version)
17 The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Pastor,
Let me share with you something about fear. At the age of 22 I met a born-again christian named Mark. I was a Good Catholic believer and thought I knew God. Mark told me I must be born again.
I said OK that’s nice. and tried to blow him off. I finally went to church with him just to keep him quiet.
The church service shook me up. I was afraid but, repeated the sinners pray as they suggested.
I was with one brother from the church a week later, when a large white cadilac broadsided us.
I was ejected from the vehicle, and landed on the sidewalk without a scratch. I then heard a voice tell me, if you think you will be a christian I will kill you. I was shaken to the core, but here I am 30 yrs later still alive, more importantly. a believer, a Christian.
Has it been easy, no. Have I always been faithful, no. Has God always been there, yes. always.