DO NOT BE AFRAID
A CERTAIN CONFIDENCE: LIVING WITH UNQUESTIONING FAITH IN CHRIST IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD (24 DAYS IN LUKE) / DAY 1
When our grandson moved in with us, we slowly transitioned him from sleeping on a mattress at the foot of our bed to his own bedroom. Every night, we stood in his room and assured him that he could sleep peacefully because we would be present to protect him. “We’ve got your covered, little guy. Do not be afraid.”
We see the Lord communicate the same message here to both Zechariah and Mary, and He whispers the same truth to you and I today: I, the Lord God Almighty, will not fail to envelop you with my favor. You have no reason to fear. Your future is safe in my faithful hands.
I want to be a woman who lives with a confident faith in my God, but I confess that I often feel like hiding under the covers and not getting out of bed. Just like my grandson, I want someone to hold my hand and help me stop imagining that monsters are going to emerge out of the darkness and destroy me. Just like Zechariah, I know what God has said, but I am often consumed by doubt and ask, “How can I be sure of this?” (Luke 1:18)
Our Deliverer God wants us to know with certainty that He will come through for us, and so He gives us Truth to fill us with His peace and strengthen our resolve. As the Angel Gabriel speaks to Mary, he shares how Jesus will come to bring salvation and fulfill the Word of the Lord spoken by the Prophets:
“You will conceive and give birth to a son” (Luke 1:31) brings to reality the words of Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32A) echoes Isaiah 9:6-7A: “For to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
Ezekiel had announced that “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,” (Luke 1:32B; Ezekiel 37:24-25) and Daniel declared “he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:33; Daniel 7:13-14)
Friend, when we believe the Word of the Lord, we have no reason to fear His favor will not fail to follow us all the days of our lives. The God of Salvation will safeguard us as we follow Him.