Pastor Greg Laurie writes about God’s most frequently given prohibition from Scripture: Don’t be afraid. He says:

The great evangelist D. L. Moody had a favorite verse. It was Isaiah 12:2: “I will trust and not be afraid.” Moody used to say, “You can travel to heaven first-class or second-class. First-class is, ‘I will trust and not be afraid.’ Second-class is, ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.’ ” Jesus’ desire is for us to travel first-class.

In one of my favorite verses in the Bible, Jesus echoes Isaiah 12:2, when He says, “ ‘Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom’ ” (Luke 12:32). The natural question to ask after hearing these words is, “Why shouldn’t I be afraid?” The biblical answer is that we serve a God who is a shepherd, father, and king.

I suppose we are like Peter having stepped out of the boat. The water, the wind, everything around us looks intimidating, but compared to the Most High God, they are nothing to be afraid of. What do you remember of the verses in which God tells us not to be afraid? Here’s a sample.

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1
“I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you . . .” Genesis 26:24
“’I am God, the God of your father,’ he said. ‘Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.’” Genesis 46:3
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’” Exodus 14:13
“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.’” Deuteronomy 1:29-31
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:4
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
“Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler. For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon; her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her.” Jeremiah 51:46-47
"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” Matthew 10:26
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

There are many stories behind those verses, but the dominant message is the Lord’s call for us to trust him. We can make our plans and prepare for the future, but we control very little. Even when everything goes our way, we aren’t the ones directing it. The Lord is.

Sometimes people wonder what God is trying to teach them through a difficult trial. I think that question is often misplaced. It seems to come from a belief that normal life is smooth and entertaining, and when trials come they are short-term lessons to build our character. Lesson learned? Trial completed. But that isn’t real life, so in that sense, I suggest it’s misguided to ask what the Lord wants us to learn in a particular trial. But there is one lesson the Lord is constantly urging us to remember in trials and in comfort. Trust him. Do not be afraid, because he is at our right hand. Do not lose heart, no matter what rumors we’ve heard. The Lord is our God, and he will help us.

(Thumbnail photo by Peter Harrison/Flickr)