Fear Not!
Finally, a name for this thing! I was wondering when we were going to have a name that is better than the Coronavirus. Now, we officially call it COVID-19 or the Wuhan virus. A virus that is like a very strong flu having killed 15,000 people as of this writing. Sadly, the Wuhan virus will probably go down as the common name for such a terrible infliction upon the world. A city for which this virus is named that I lived in some 20 years ago.
But, that name is not nearly as important as the name the world’s common enemy uses to cause more frenzy than a bunch of hoarders at the stocking of the paper aisle.
And that name is
FEAR
“an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.”
— Apple Dictionary
Fear has more to do with the source than the actuality of fear. There is a healthy fear we should have that hopefully keeps us alive and out of trouble. That is a fear of SomeOne. For example, Ecclesiastes 12:13 says we are to “fear God and keep His commandments.” This would be a healthy fear since, God will judge everyone for their actions, Eccl 12:14, and we should rightly “be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” Matthew 10:28. The phrase healthy respect would appropriately frame a fear of God that leads to appropriate action.
We should rightly fear, as in respect, our government. Romans 13 says to respect our elected leaders. We pull over and stop when we see law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders knowing they are going to the front lines of an emergency out of respect for them and their service.
Wives are in the right when they respect their husbands, Ephesians 5:22.
There is a right fear, respect, of God that leads us to action. Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Following this command, Joshua went on to conquer Jericho, Ai, and kick out many of the inhabitants of the promised land.
However, it is the other type of fear that we should face boldly and call out since it has nothing to do with respect.
The more recognizable fear is in the shopping aisles, Wall St, world governments, and probably your own household. This is fear as in afraid of something.
I would say that something is fear of the unknown.
We are afraid we will lose our job.
We are afraid we will catch the virus.
We are afraid of how we will die.
We are afraid for someone we love.
We are afraid of this and many other things because we are afraid of admitting the words, “I don’t know.”
We don’t know when we will go back to work.
We don’t know if we will catch the Coronavirus.
We don’t know when or how we will die.
We don’t know what we would do if we lost someone we love.
We just don’t know.
Fear breeds in the great vacuum of “We just don’t know.”
But, the Great SomeOne, God, says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I say fear not!
The father of lies, John 8:44, is clearly pushing this fear. We should call it out our fear, name it, and rest in the very real SomeOne who can solve our fear.
I’m worried. Consider the lilies of the field, Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:22, Phil 4:6.
I don’t know. Be still and know, Psalm 46:10.
I am afraid. Fear Not, Isaiah 41:10, Johsua 1:9.
Friends, I say fear not!
Find it
Call it out.
Rest in the One Who comforts, cares, solves, and saves.