UNDERSTANDING: “Good tidings of great joy”
The importance of “Fear Not”…..
The words above which have been chosen for the title of this article are familiar to many. In the account of Christ’s birth we find the message of comfort brought by an angel to the shepherds at Bethlehem on that unforgettable night: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Lk.2:10 KJV). In those “good tidings of great joy” we find the key for unlocking the theme of this article. Very simply, we need not fear what faces us because of the coming of the Lord Jesus into this world. His presence can dispel our fears!
The CHRISTIANITY FAQ website helpfully lists the verses in the Bible where the words “fear not” are found (1). Using the KJV, the expression appears no less than 61 times in Scripture – 47 being in the Old Testament and 14 in the New Testament. In addition to this, the words “fear ye not” and similar expressions appear 31 more times. Obviously we have to be selective and cannot comment on anywhere near one hundred references! As we approach this subject our aim is to be practical and helpful, rather than scholarly and academic. Although the Bible can be studied with great profit and must be rightly understood, it is also available to help us practically in the trials and difficulties of life.
FIRST AND LAST
It can often be helpful to identify the first and last references to a particular theme in Scripture. The first occasion where the words “fear not” are found is in Genesis 15:1: “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Gen.15:1). Not long before, God had called Abram from idolatry to commence a journey to a destination that was unknown as far as Abram was concerned (12:1). Difficulties had been encountered along the way, including a very daring rescue when Abram set out to free his nephew Lot from enemy hands. The venture resulted in many more people than Lot and his family being delivered, but Abram had refused any reward offered by those who were grateful to have been given their freedom again.
Immediately after those events (described in Genesis 14) we read of God speaking words of reassurance to His servant. Had he done the right thing to refuse rewards which would have made him richer than he was? “Fear not,” God said to Abram: “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (15:1). God’s reward was greater than anything which the king of Sodom could offer! But if Abram felt apprehensive of the way ahead, the LORD reassured him with those comforting words, “Fear not.” He would be with him as a shield to protect him from further danger.
For ourselves, as we face an uncertain future in a world of danger, these precious words of comfort can dispel any lingering fears. The LORD who accompanied Abram on his journey will be with us as we travel through a hostile world. He will be our shield too.
The first time we encounter “fear not” in the New Testament is in Matthew 1:20. Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, was facing uncertainty. News had reached him that she was “with child” before their marriage. Should he break the engagement on account of what had happened? He was “a just man” and did not want to cause Mary any unnecessary public shame (1:19). “While he thought on these things … the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (v.20).
It is interesting to note that Joseph was both “just” and thoughtful. God’s words of reassurance (“fear not”) are not for those who are careless or worldly. We need to be just (or righteous) in behaviour, like Joseph. We also should take care to think rather than acting hastily. If we are seeking to please the Lord, as he was, we can be sure that the Lord will allay our fears whenever we are perplexed.
The final reference to fear in Scripture is found in Revelation 1:17. John, the elderly apostle who was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, had seen the Lord Jesus in all His glory. As a result of this vision, he “fell at His feet as dead”. But the risen Lord laid His right hand on the apostle saying, “Fear not: I am the first and the last” (v.17). Seeing the Lord in such a blaze of glory was terrifying for John as a mere mortal, but the Lord spoke those familiar words of comfort, “Fear not”. If, like John, we are in His presence, we need not be afraid either.
SO MANY MORE!
Between the verses in Genesis and Revelation which we have looked at, we can find many more containing the familiar words, “Fear not”. On some occasions they were uttered by God Himself; on other occasions they were uttered by an angel or by a human messenger. The books in the Bible containing this expression the most times are Genesis and Isaiah in the Old Testament and Luke in the New Testament. Three times in Isaiah 41, within the space of a few verses, the Lord encouraged His troubled people to “fear not” (vv.10,13,14). It is a comfort to know the nearness of the presence of the One who declares, “Fear thou not: for I am with thee” (v.10). Even though our insignificance may be likened to that of a worm (v.14), our God is present beside us to hold our right hand and help us along life’s pathway (v.13).
Shortly before his death, Moses addressed the people of Israel. Knowing the challenges facing them as they entered the Promised Land, he encouraged them to “be strong and of a good courage” and to “fear not” (Dt.31:6). As we face the challenges of the unknown future we can take to heart these same words to strengthen us. When the pathway ahead seems uncertain we need reassurance too. So many of God’s dear people down through the centuries have received that same promise and have found encouragement: “The LORD … doth go before thee: He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Dt.31:8). The promise is still valid for you today, whatever your circumstances and needs in life may be.
At the beginning of this article we thought of the shepherds at Bethlehem who were terrified by “the glory of the Lord” which “shone round about them” when an angel appeared in the stillness of the night (Lk.2:9). It was the “good tidings” of the Saviour’s birth which caused the angel to tell the shepherds to “fear not”. A little earlier, on two previous occasions, those familiar words had brought peace to troubled souls. First, Zacharias had a similar experience to the shepherds when an angel appeared before him to bring him the news that his wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to a son named John (Lk.1:12,13). Then Mary, destined to be the mother of Jesus, was also troubled by the appearance of an angel. She, too, heard those words of comfort addressed personally to her, “Fear not, Mary” (v.29,30). Do these verses not teach us that God would not have His people to be overwhelmed by what lies before them? Those tender words show the mercy and compassion of our Father.
THE LORD HIMSELF
Of the four gospel writers it has often been pointed out that Luke presents Jesus as a Man. Four times in his gospel Luke records the Lord Jesus saying “Fear not” – twice to individuals and twice to a group. After the miraculous catch of fishes Simon Peter felt very unworthy. Humbled at his own ignorance as a skilled fisherman he had said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Lk.5:8). But Jesus had a plan for Peter’s life and gently responded by saying, “Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men” (5:10).
The other individual who heard those tender words was Jairus. He had appealed to Jesus for help because his only daughter was very ill. A messenger had then arrived bringing Jairus the tragic news that it was too late for Jesus to intervene because the little girl had died. Although Jesus had not been told directly He knew how Jairus would be feeling. Turning to him, He said, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole” (8:50). What a compassionate Saviour we have! Whether we are facing a task, such as soul-winning, which seems beyond us, or whether we are confronted by death, the Lord would have us be unafraid. Our need and weakness present us with an opportunity to trust Him.
There are also the two occasions when the Lord Jesus addressed His followers as a group. In Luke 12 the Lord sought to remove the fears of His people. Rather than fearing human beings whose power is limited to killing the body, we ought to fear God who has the power to “cast into hell” (vs.4,5). If we fear God (meaning to reverence Him) we need never fear man. The sparrows being sold in the marketplace were cheap, but God’s children “are of more value than many sparrows” (v.7). In human terms they may be viewed as just a “little flock” with no great ability. However, God delights to take up and use what is weak. Though of little value on earth, the Lord has a wonderful future planned for those who love Him. “Fear not, little flock,” He declared, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (v.32).
CONCLUDING THOUGHT
As we bring these thoughts to a conclusion, have you ever wondered why the words “fear not” are found so often in the Bible? The answer is really very simple. Each person who was told to “fear not” was actually fearful, otherwise they would never have been told not to fear! We are just like that. All kinds of situations can make us fearful – especially as we anticipate the unknown future. The Lord does not want us to fear anyone or anything. We can “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim.2:1). Go back in thought to Bethlehem and think of the “good tidings of great joy” that have been made known (Lk.2:10). The Saviour who in great love for us died for our sins at Calvary will never leave us or forsake us (Heb.13:5). He is sufficient for our every need. Let us then “fear not” whatever lies before us but trust the One who is able to hold our hand and lead us safely on.
(1) https://christianityfaq.com/how-many-times-is-fear-not-in-the-bible/