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SCRIPTURE READINGS: GENESIS 21:8-21, ROMANS 6:1-11, MATTHEW 10:24-39

SUNDAY REFLECTION

“Fear not” is the theme for our reflection. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. In our reflection, we shall identify the causes of fear in the lives of believers, and for each of the causes, we shall give reasons why we must fear not.

First, we are fearful when we are faced with situations that render us helpless or powerless. Beloved in the Lord, fear takes over our lives when we have nowhere or no one to turn to because of our sense of hopelessness and helplessness. In our precarious situations, we become fearful, especially when we become the victims of other people’s actions, inaction or decisions. Sarah’s decision to have Hagar and Ishmael sent away from Abraham’s house because she felt insecure left Hagar and her son, Ishmael, in a helpless situation. We are told that “She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. ¹⁵ When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. ¹⁶ Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. (Genesis 21:14-16) Hagar was completely gripped with the fear of watching her son die while she looked on helplessly. Dear friend, sometimes we go through suffering because of the actions, inaction or decision of others. In other words, our actions may endanger others and make them live in fear. However, we are greatly encouraged that in our helplessness and hopelessness, God listens to our cry, It is for this reason, we must fear not. We are told that “God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. ¹⁸ Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” (Genesis 21:17-18) Dear friend, whatever fear and suffering you are going through as a result of mistreatment from other people, I am here to encourage you that you are not alone! The Lord hears your cry for help and restoration through your faith and prayer. We are further emboldened by the words of the Psalmist not to fear when he wrote that “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? ² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1-2). You may have become a victim of betrayal in your marriage or relationship, you may have been unjustly treated at your workplace, or you have been maligned or destroyed by those who do not want to see you succeed in life, but I say to you in a loud and resounding voice, fear not! I invite and encourage you to put your trust in God and say with David that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.” Psalms 23:4-6

Second, We are fearful when we are estranged from God by sin. Beloved in the Lord, sin and guilt can also make us live in fear. When we live in sin, we are also fearful of judgement, condemnation and the wrath of God. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour takes away this fear and we are assured of God’s love and eternal life. It is, for this reason, Paul assures us that “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷ For one who has died has been set free from sin. ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (Romans 6:6-8). We must fear not when we are in Christ because there is“… no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)

Last but not least, we are fearful when we face persecution as a result of our faith. Dear friend in Christ, a time is coming when our faith and faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ will be tested through persecution by those who hate the Gospel. When that time comes let us fear not. for Jesus cares for us and has assured us that “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell…whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:27-28, 38-39) Let us not fear suffering on account of preaching the Gospel and dying for Christ, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; (Acts 17:28 ). Again, we are greatly assured by Jesus that “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven… (Matthew 5:11-12.) Paul was fearless in the face of persecution because he had faith in the promises of the Lord, It is for this reason, he wrote to encourage Timothy that, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Surely, beloved in the Lord, we must not fear the enemies that persecute us but rather put our faith in God who is the beginning and the end. John further assures us that “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Fear not” We have looked at three causes of fear in the lives of believers, namely, finding ourselves in Helpless situations, being burdened with sin and guilt, and persecution. For each of the causes of fear, we have given remedies that give reasons for us to fear not. The reasons we ought not to fear are; God listens to our cry, Jesus takes away our sins and fear of condemnation, and He cares and rewards those who are persecuted for His name’s sake. May the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith to remain fearless when we are faced with things that cause us to fear and lose hope as believers. Amen.