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Fear Not
May 22, 2012

My wife became seriously ill during her pregnancy with our second child. As the doctors struggled to find the problem, she continued to grow weaker—dangerously so.

Watching her suffer was a helpless and horrible feeling for me, and there were days when it felt as if God were not hearing our prayers. One Sunday, while I was looking for comfort from Scripture, my eyes landed on the first verse in Isaiah 43.

“Fear not,” it begins, and ends with “you are Mine.” Instantly, the Holy Spirit made the words personal. The intimate way God addresses Israel reminded me of His always-present attention to us too: “When you pass through the waters . . . through the rivers . . . through the fire” (v.2). Each phrase rose up in crescendo, from the pages to my heart.

Our comfort in that hour came not from promises of healing or miracles, but from knowing we were never alone. We had many other frightening times, including just after Ethan’s birth, when it looked as if both he and Cheryl would be lost. But God had used His words to comfort us and prepare us for those harder moments!

Let these words be a reminder to you that you are never alone.

At times our fears may loom so large,
We long for proof that God is near;
It’s then our Father says to us,
“Have faith, My child, and do not fear.” —D. De Haan

Never forget in the darkness, what you know to be true in the light.

Read: Isaiah 43:1-4

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. —Isaiah 43:1

Bible in a Year:
Job 28-31

"Fear not" ... is this ever difficult for many of us. Our childhood instilled many of us with irrational fears, that tend to stay with us all our lives. Fear of flying, fear of (claustrophobia) places we can not get out.

At about 4/12 or 5 years of age I was put in a dark dirt cellar as punishment for going our of the yard. Maybe only a few minutes, but I was frightened and couldn't see in the dark. Living in a small farming community of of a few dozens of families scattered about. An only child. My Mother argued against it, but my Daddy ruled.

It is still a difficult thing. In a dentist chair, especially when they want to lay one back in a reclining position. Horrible. I can hardly keep from running out. I do give my fear to God; and it comes back. I do see I have survived it, and I am Okay; but a dark dirt cellar that has spiders, and snakes as cautions to guard against marked my emotions and imagination ... irrational fear, I know.

Father, thank thee for thy grace, kindness and comfort, blessings and love. I am humbled before thee. In Jesus name amen.