March 26

Do Not Fear  

Did you know that in various ways the Bible says “Do not fear,” 365 times. That’s one “Do not fear” for every day of the year!   

God explicitly tells us do not fear because in doing so, we are receiving a spirit that is not from Him. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind.” 

In Romans fear is described as coming from a spirit of bondage. “For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”(Romans 8:15)   

Instead of fear, God has given us a Spirit of adoption. When we receive Jesus as our Lord, then we are adopted as sons and daughters into the family of God. This adoption gives us permission to call God the same name as His Son, Jesus, calls Him - “Abba,” or “Daddy.” 

When our young children are afraid, they call out, “Daddy” or “Mommy” and then trust their parents to come to their aid. As adopted children of God, we are given permission to call out to Abba (Daddy) and then trust Him to take care of every situation - great and small. 

Instead of receiving a spirit of fear, pray to Abba: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid...”(Psalm 56:3-4a)