No Fear

Mt. 10: 26-33

 "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 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. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

Have no fear. What a basic instruction that reaches to the very heart of the Christian! Why would the Christian fear? In the case of the disciples and even Christians today, speaking about Jesus either publicly or privately could be at the cost of their lives. But Jesus says, have no fear. Go ahead and speak His name from the housetops. In fact, the only one that need be feared is the one who can destroy the soul and the body, and since the believer's life belongs to God, He is safe. No one can snatch the believer from the hand of God. For the believer there is ultimate and divine safety! 

Not only that, but the very hairs of the believer's head are numbered. Just as He cares for the sparrows in nature, so He cares for the believer. Nothing escapes His notice. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O Lord of hosts... With care and protection like this, who need fear?

The final and closing thought is to speak freely about Jesus without fear. If believers acknowledge Him before men, then He acknowledges them before the Father, and sadly, the converse is true too. It seems that what Jesus has said has come full circle. If believers don't speak, then they should fear the One who controls their souls destiny. If they don't speak, Jesus will not acknowledge them before the Father.  Comfort and warning all compactly packed together in these few short verses!

Father,

Build my trust in You so that fear will not hamper my life. Help me to be constantly aware of You and to be  constantly praying. Give me Your courage to share with all those You bring in my path.

In Jesus name,

Amen