Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - God's Opening Line

When the angel appeared to tell Mary the miracle part she was going to play in Christ's coming, early on he said these words, "Do not be afraid, Mary" (Luke 1:30 ). How about the angel's announcement to Joseph about his part in it? "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife" (Matthew 1:20 ). But this "fear not" is not just in the Christmas story. It's all through the Bible in God's dealings with people. On numerous occasions in the Old Testament when God's people were facing a variety of challenges, God said these words over and over again, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9 ).

When God has something to say to us, He often seems to begin by addressing our fear. Why? Because fear often keeps us from hearing or responding to what God wants us to hear. We focus on the uncertainties, the pressure, the possibilities that could happen - the mountains - and we panic. Then, that usually leads us to one of two nowhere responses. We start running around doing things God never told us to do. Or we just freeze up and do nothing. If we do our thing or nothing, we're probably not doing God's thing.

So, He opens what He wants to say with, "Do not be afraid." It may very well be that this is what He's trying to say to you right now. "Do not be afraid of ________." You have to fill in the blank with the thing that you're worrying a lot about right now; the things that are keeping you awake, keeping you stressed. Listen to your Lord. First put your name in here (in the blank) ________ . There's your name, then "do not be afraid of ________." "Do not be afraid that ________." See, He's trying to deal with that fear that has your heart and mind so tensed up that nothing can get in there - even God's voice.

At a time when David's life was literally in the balance, he wrote, "I sought the Lord and He delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4 ). God wants to do that for you right now. Like a distraught little child, cuddled in a parent's arms, let your Father reassure you that there's nothing facing you that He can't handle.