• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman

Grow in Christ as you discover the relevance and sufficiency of God’s Word for daily living.

  • Messages
  • Devotions
  • About
  • Books
    • Behold
    • Grow
    • Adorned

February 22, 2025 / Filed Under: Devotions

No Need to Fear, Ever

Did you know that the command “Fear not” is by far the most repeated command in the Bible, across both Testaments? We can so easily paint an inaccurate, unrealistic picture of biblical heroes in our minds. The fact is they, like we, struggled with fear and anxiety about God’s working in their lives. This is of course the only explanation as to why we see this constant refrain throughout Scripture: “Fear not.”

God specifically speaks to both Moses and Joshua before numerous difficult and bloody battles, saying to them, “Fear not.” David says to his son Solomon, as he contemplates the responsibility of building a temple for God: “Do not be afraid … for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

The prophet Elijah says to the woman who is gathering sticks to make a last meal before she and her son starve to death: “Do not fear.” God tells King Jehoshaphat, facing an alliance of armies coming against Israel, “Do not be afraid … the Lord will be with you.” God speaks to his people Israel over and over again through his prophets, telling them even in exile not to be afraid to come to God in repentance and faith.

The story of God’s working throughout human history is the story of him working in the midst of terrifying situations to help his anxious, confused, and hurting people.

In the book of Acts, an angel appears to Paul—who is on a ship on his way to prison in Rome, having been in prison already for two years, and now the ship is caught in a terrible storm—and what does the angel say to Paul the apostle? Not, “You’re right, Paul, there’s nothing to worry about.” No, the angel says, “Don’t be afraid, Paul.” How does the angel begin his address to both Joseph and to Mary in order to tell them of their child who would be conceived by the Holy Spirit? “Fear not.” And Jesus himself turns to Jairus immediately after he receives the news that his daughter is dead, and says: “Do not be afraid.”

The repeated admonition not to fear only makes sense if these believers are genuinely wrestling with deep distress. And these examples merely skim the surface.

There are countless troubled believers in the pages of Scripture, and they are being constantly encouraged that there is no need to fear. The story of God’s working throughout human history is the story of him working in the midst of terrifying situations in order to help his anxious, confused, and hurting people. It is the story of scared people facing terrible, painful trials through shaky-knee faith in the promises of God … although at times there seemed to be no way out of the pain, no end to the sorrow, no answer to the many, many, many prayers.

You are not alone, Christian believer! God’s people have always wrestled with fear, with questions, with sickening doubts when it comes to the many challenges of living in a sinful world. Yet the answer continually returns: there is no need to fear! Why? Because God is with his people. God will always be with his people. God will never forsake his people. And if God is our God, there is never any reason to fear. Ever.

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Pinterest Share
Share on LinkedIn Share
Send email Mail
Print Print

Filed Under: Devotions Tagged With: Anxiety, Christian Living, Encouragement, Fear, Trial

Primary Sidebar

Are you starving for want of wonder?

God tells us, over and over again, to focus our starving souls on the superb reality of who He is, what He is doing, and what He promises to do for all who trust in Him.

And God’s invitation to glory in Him is nowhere more explicit than in the repeated command to ‘Behold.’

Justin O. Huffman invites us to meditate on ten of the occasions the command ‘Behold’ is used in the New Testament, and to feast on the wonderful truth we find there.

“Justin Huffman takes the familiar truths of Christ’s gospel and helps us to view them again with wonder—a sense of glory that both fascinates us and fills us with awe. Here is a book that focuses attention on Jesus and says, ‘Behold your God!’.”
     —Joel Beeke


“Behold provides a corrective lens for us to see that there is more to life and invites us to satisfy our deep soul–hunger by feasting on Jesus, the Son of God.”
     —Joel Morris

Recent Posts

  • Greet One Another With a … What?
  • Righteousness Like the Mountains
  • Is True Faith an Act of the Will?
  • Gain Is Godliness, or Godliness Is Gain?
  • The Dangers and Benefits of Revival

Categories

  • 2024 Messages
  • Articles
  • Book Excerpts
  • Culture
  • Devotions
  • Exegesis
  • Guest Writers
  • Messages
  • Q&A
  • Sermon Notes
  • Uncategorized
  • Well Said

Tags

1 Corinthians Advent Anxiety Bible Bible Study Christian Living Christmas Church Cross Encouragement Evangelism Faith Family Fear Finances Forgiveness Genesis God's Love God's Word Gospel Grace Identity Idolatry Jesus Lord's Prayer Love Marriage Missions Parenting Praise Prayer Psalms Ruth Salvation Sanctification Sin Sovereignty Spiritual Disciplines Spiritual Growth Studies in Genesis Thanksgiving Trial Wisdom Worldview Worship

Copyright © 2025 · Digital Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Global
All posts This post
Save
Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Made by wpion.com