Day 366: Matthew 28:10

"Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'" ~Matthew 28:10, NIV

Today concludes a strange journey I set out upon 365 days ago. I sought to see if indeed, there was a verse for every day of the Gregorian year counteracting fear, and I found... Well. This blog has documented my findings, interpretations, and exhortations of the lack of 365 verses that directly state "fear not," or "don't be afraid". The instances are many, some repeat, but the situations can be boiled down to three: God directly telling His people to fear not, God using angels to tell His people to fear not, and God using other godly men to tell His people to fear not.

After Jesus was risen from the dead, some of His female disciples went to His tomb only to find it empty. This verse is just after He's appeared to them, and they fell down at His feet and worshipped Him, and I think it's a fine word to end this year by.

Don't be afraid - in fact, take what you've learned and share it with the world. Jesus said "go and tell my brothers". His plan is that we should go and tell the whole world this very news: that Christ is risen from the dead, we can be one with God again. For this, this is the good news, and this, this is the reason why we shall never have to fear.

Have a great 2013!

Day 364: Psalm 55:23

But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you." ~Psalm 55:23, NIV

Justice. Back in the day, mankind assumed that God's justness would manifest itself solely in this life, but Job's account disproved that. Regardless, ultimately His justice is served, as this psalmist explains.

And the righteous have nothing to fear from God's justice - for they trust in Him and as a token of their trust, serve Him. This year we've seen a lot of things written out, but in the end, it's all about one thing: your relationship with God. Is He your friend? Is He an acquaintance?

Do you recognize His voice? Do you believe, have hope in that voice? Chances are good that if you deal with fear, it's because you don't know God well enough on a one-to-one level.

Day 363: 1 Kings 17:13

"Elijah said to her, Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son." ~1 Kings 17:13, NIV

God was doing a big thing in Israel - He had forbidden the clouds to produce rain because Elijah had asked, as a sign to the evil King of the time. However, that also meant that the people were suffering, such as the widow Elijah is talking to in this verse. This widow was preparing herself and her son to die, but Elijah asked her to first make him some bread and get him some water.

She was incredulous, but did so, using up the last of her resources. When Elijah told her to go back and make something for herself, oh shock! All of the resources had been replenished!

Elijah was God's voice to this widow, telling her not to be afraid, that He was going to take care of her through the prophet. And today we can also hear God speaking through Elijah, promising to take care of us, to deliver us in our time of need.

He is here, and He loves you, and wants to be as near to you as you will let Him - nearer, more present, even.

Day 360: Ezekiel 34:28-30

"They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord." 
~Ezekiel 34:28-30, NIV

First off, Merry Christmas! May your household be filled with the peace of our loving Father and His son, Jesus Christ.

I'll try to make this brief - God's ultimate will is that everyone would be able to live in a relationship with Him. On that day, He can bring peace on Earth and goodwill among all men. This verse describes the plan God has ultimately for Israel, that they will not be under attack from their neighbors, that they will live in safety, that they will have a fertile land and that the world will cease to hate them.

The one, vital step to that plan was the existence of one man, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. I've said it before, but we celebrate the day that our God's progeny came to die. On this day, remember what God's ultimate plan requires: that no one should perish, but that all might know Him and have everlasting life.

The way the verse is set up, it looks like it's a cause and effect verse - when God creates this paradise for Israel, then they will know He is their God and they are His people. But I would say it's the opposite. Because they know that the Sovereign Lord is their only God and Savior, He will be able to grant them that goodness. Either way, it works.

Has God given you prosperity? Then know that He is the Lord your God. Do you know He's God? Then know that His ultimate plan is to prosper you greatly, be that in this life or not.

He loves you. He sent His son to die, and today we remember that. May God bless you.

Day 353: Psalm 73:23

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand." ~Psalm 73:23, NIV

So a lot of times we quote God telling us that He'll always be with us. This verse seems a little backwards then, doesn't it? I will always be with Him? He holds my right hand?

This just reflects God's will that we choose Him. Yes, He'll always be available, but it's up to us to accept His love, His goodness, His grace, His promises. When we do that, we're also accepting that there's nothing in this world to fear, and we're taking a certain measure of control over our destinies by putting it in God's hand.

And when we do that, He leads us by the hand down the path of His plan - which is perfect, and in it is perfect love, which casts out all fear. The choice, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) is yours.

Day 351: Philippians 4:7

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:7, NIV

Okay, what is fear but an attack on your security? Well, Paul says to the Philippians that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds thanks to our hope in Jesus. And if our hearts are guarded by this peace, that means that fear can't get in and take a hold, right?

If you're facing fear, ask your father for His peace. Just as earthly fathers give their sons and daughters good gifts, so much more will your heavenly father give you what you need when you need it.

Be still and know, calm your heart and understand that He is God, and let that knowledge fill your heart with His love.

Day 348: 1 Samuel 12:14

"If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good!" ~1 Samuel 12:14, NIV

After Samuel had made Saul king by God's appointment, he gave a speech to the new king and the Israelites. The Israelites especially needed to be reminded that their true king was God, and that the point of having a human king was to teach them how to better serve God.

In addition, his speech gave a point that has been proven time after time - fearing the Lord by serving and obeying Him gives goodness and life, and negates the need to be afraid of worldly death. God longs to give good things to His children, but He has to be sure that they will use those gifts wisely. Fearful children make stupid mistakes, I'm afraid.

Day 345: 2 Kings 13:17

"'Open the east window,' he said, and he opened it. 'Shoot!' Elisha said, and he shot. 'The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!' Elisha declared. 'You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.'" ~2 Kings 13:17, NIV

God has a tendency to do incredible things. The King Jehoahaz was serving the Lord, but his enemy was coming to Jerusalem, and previous encounters had not left much of the Israelite army. So the King went to Elijah, who did the above, mostly symbolically.

What he declared, however, was that Jehoahaz would completely dominate his enemies. God's word to those who have faith, believe, and want to serve him is "You will completely destroy your enemies."

God's provision, hope and victory should give you a good sense of whose side you're on.

Day 343: Psalm 85:8

"I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly." ~Psalm 85:8, NIV

Listening is underrated sometimes, but in order to understand what we hear, we really have to listen. And with someone as seemingly incorporeal as God to listen to, it takes that much more focus to hear what He wants us to know. David says he listened, and we can read and take hope from what David heard.

David heard God promise peace to His children, with a warning to stay away from folly, also known as sin. God loves us - He doesn't want us to live in fear. In fact, He can't really use us if we're trapped in a cycle of terror, because we'll be too scared to step out of our comfort zones and do His will.

So remember what God has spoken, and listen to what He's saying today. It will bring light to your world.

Day 342: Deuteronomy 18:22

"If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed." ~Deuteronomy 18:22, NIV

This verse makes me laugh at the inconsistency therein. It could be interpreted as the Jews covering their bases - if their prophecies aren't coming true, then it's not God's fault, it's their fault. But I think that with a little faith, you can give it more truth and validity than that.

Consider the loons who have predicted the end of the world. Does May 27th ring any bells? Y2K? April 1st? Yeah, in Christ's name people seem to want to know when the rapture is - yet it distinctly says that no one will know the day nor hour, and yet. We now have a situation on which to base this verse: they claim to be prophets, yet what they said didn't come true. God told the Israelites, and now us, that He has power, so many prophecies will come true.

However, there will always be false prophets, and God doesn't want us freaking out or saying He's not real because of them. So don't be alarmed, or don't be afraid when these things happen. Doesn't Jesus say that today has enough worries of its own?

Day 339: Psalm 46:7, 11

"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." ~Psalm 46:7, 11

Psalm 46 is a short little piece, but the above sentence is repeated twice, as noted. As we learned in 8th grade English, repetition is always used intentionally, and in the Bible that repetition is always used to accentuate some form of truth.

How else can we explain the 120-ish times the Bible says to fear not? The 600-ish times it says God loves us? The other, more subtle repetition of thoughts and ideas?

This is yet another emphasis on who God is and what that means in relation to us. What does it say to you?

Day 338: Deuteronomy 20:3

"He shall say: Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them." ~Deuteronomy 20:3, NIV

God liked telling Moses and Joshua what to tell the Israelites. And while back in that day the people needed intermediaries between them and God, today is extremely different.

Courtesy of Jesus' death, we can hear for ourselves what God wants  us to know, and if we're afraid, I think the above serves as a good reminder for what that knowledge is.

Don't let your heart go jelly on you, and don't be afraid, don't let your heart take control of you and move you far out into the world. Just believe. Go into battle knowing that God sent you. What more is there to know? Seek the Bible for what you want to find, and let its God-given words may guide you. 

(Disclaimer: use the Bible intelligently. Look up the context and see if it actually should apply to you. Also, listen in your heart to God's nudges. And make sure they're actually God's hand, not the Liar's. God bless!)

Day 337: Luke 21:12-18

"But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish." ~Luke 21:12-18, NIV

Verse 19 continues to say that if we stand firm, we will have life - not necessarily this physical life, but life as God intended it. The fact of the matter is exactly as Jesus stated it above. We're going to face a lot of trials in our lives, some more challenging to our faith than others, and we're going to get a lot of grief for the fact that we believe He's the Messiah.

On the flipside, He's also with us. He says that "not a hair of your head will perish." You will survive, even if it's in the afterlife. It's not going to be easy, but believe, and remember that in all of it, He's with you.

Day 333: Obadiah 1:17

"But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance." ~Obadiah 1:17, NIV


For the most part, there's an exception to every rule. So when your world is falling apart, that insinuates that not everything in your world is indeed, fallen apart.

There will always be a Mount Zion - a refuge in the deluge of catastrophe that God sends. You don't have to be afraid. God is waiting in the rain. Your inheritance is to know God and serve him. Jacob found Mount Zion, Jacob received the inheritance, and so will you.

Day 328: Joshua 8:1

"Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land.'" ~Joshua 8:1, NIV

It's nice, isn't it, that throughout God's leading Joshua through the conquest of the Promised Land, that He was constantly reminding Joshua to fulfill His command? God's word isn't usually meant to be said once and never repeated.

His promises tend to have a certain repetition about them. And I assure you, if it's important, God will remind you about it the way He did Joshua.

That's why there's going to be 366 entries this year... Because God has a plan for you and it involves choosing to fear not. Like Joshua, we need reminders when we're about to go into a dangerous situation, when obeying God doesn't seem to be the most logical thing in terms of self-preservation.

In fact, some of us need reminders in every situation. God knows that. And He provided His command to Joshua again and again: don't be afraid, don't be discouraged.  Through Joshua, we can get the gist.

If we are in God's plan, then He will be with us so that it does not fail. Even in death, God never fails. God's promises were fulfilled to Joshua as long as Israel was right with God and went forward fearlessly.

We can go and do likewise.

Day 325: Psalm 111:5

"He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever." ~Psalm 111:5, NIV

'I know, sometimes it's easy to believes God remembers everyone... except for me. He provides for those who need, but what about me? 

'Does He just not care about me? Why do I feel so alone? Was it something I did? My lack of faith? Do I just need to look up, out?'

Deserts are not a fun place to be in. You don't have enough food. You don't have enough water. The heat suffocates you, the night is paralyzing. God had the Israelites wander through the desert for 40 years.

He was still with them. He's still with you. He remembered the Israelites for 400 years of prophetic drought until Jesus came. He remembers His promise to you. And He loves you.

His promise. His love never fails. He'll provide. You can take it.

Day 321: Luke 4:18

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free." ~Luke 4:18, NIV

In this part of Luke, Jesus is in a synagogue, reading scripture. He reads this passage from Isaiah, and then looks to the crowd, saying, "you have seen this come to pass today." Jesus took the hope that the Old Testament heroes looked to and embodied it.

He knew it was true - the Spirit was upon Him and enabled Him to do everything He did. Be it bringing good news to the poor, setting psychological captives free, healing the sick, delivering His people from sin, Jesus did it all, and continues to do so today.

People used to look forward to the hope of the Messiah, but we have it with us today - and what better way to prevent fear than to fill up on hope? The promise made in the Old Testament is fulfilled by Jesus, and if you feel like you could be poor, a captive, sick, or oppressed, please take courage: Jesus came to rescue you. If you've accepted Him, He has saved you and will save you. If not, He's only a conversation away.

Day 320: Joshua 10:25

"Joshua said to them, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight." ~Joshua 10:25, NIV

Joshua as the leader of the people often repeated to them what his leader said to him. And since his leader was God, that ensured that what Joshua told his people was absolutely true.

God told us through Joshua, and He tells us again through Israel. Neither of the two were to allow fear to consume their hearts. In the verses preceding this one, Joshua was outlining the victory the Israelites were going to have.

No matter your battle, as long as God is behind it, you have no enemy, no attack, nothing to fear. Don't allow your fears to discourage you, let God give you strength, and courage to counteract your choices.

Or just make wise choices to begin with...

Day 318: 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." ~Joshua 1:9, NIV

It is true that God has commanded us, through Joshua, to courageously and fearlessly obey Him - for He promises to be with us no matter where we go. 365 times? I wish.

But God says it here, so I will let that be sufficient. He told Joshua, and didn't Joshua fulfill God's will and create peace and prosperity for His people?

He still has great plans for us, and if He did that for Joshua under the old covenant, what might He do with us?

Day 317: Hebrews 13:8

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." ~Hebrews 13:8, NIV

All of the hope I have in this world, isn't in this world at all - it's in Jesus, and His act of death so I could one day pray to Him, get my sins forgiven, and begin the best relationship ever that allows me to go to Heaven when I die.

This hope is like the man Himself - it is as potent as it was when He first rose from the dead today, and it will always stay the same. Jesus, the source of all hope, never changes - as the verse says, He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. 

The love He has for us never diminishes. His power never diminishes. His validity never diminishes. And what He stands for will outlast time. This Jesus... this is what we Christians put our hope in: God's faithfulness.