"Fear Not!"

Pastor Clifford S. Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, sent his parents a microwave oven one Christmas. Here’s how he recalls the experience:

“They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant generation. When Dad unpacked the microwave and plugged it in, literally within seconds, the microwave transformed two smiles into frown! Even after reading the directions, they couldn’t make it work. Two days later, my mother was playing bridge with a friend and confessed her inability to get that microwave oven even to boil water. ‘To get this darn thing to work,’ she exclaimed, ‘I really don’t need better directions; I just needed my son to come along with the gift!’”

When God gave the gift of salvation, he didn’t send a booklet of complicated instructions for us to figure out; he sent his Son. Someone has said:

• If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
• If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
• If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
• If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
• But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

At least one of the things that Christ has accomplished for us as our Savior is the means of conquering of fear in our lives. In the Christmas narratives, there are several “fear not’s.” We may look at each of these through the following Scripture:

1. The “fear not” of salvation: “…but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:10,11; NLV). Almost every thinking individual fears death and the uncertainty of that which we have no measurable evidence. Faith in Jesus Christ brings courage in the face of this uncertainty. We no longer need fear death. Jesus has shown us the way to conquer it!
2. The “fear not” of the humanly impossible: "Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:30,35,37; NLV). All of us have reached points in our lives where we simply could not do something. The message of Christ is that all things are possible with Him.
3. The “fear not” of unanswered prayer: “But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John.” (Luke 1:13; NLV). How often have you felt as if your prayers went unheard and unanswered? The birth of Christ offers us proof that our prayers are heard and answered.

It really isn’t as complicated as often thought. God sent His Son to simplify life through His example and leadership. When Thomas wanted to know the way, Jesus said, “I am the way!” That invitation to follow Him still stands today. Trust Him today and let your fears melt away in His grace.