Sent word ahead to Esau. The messengers came back: he’s on his way to meet me. With four hundred men. I’m terrified.
GENESIS 32:3–7 · BSB
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’” When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.” In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.
Honest question. Who in this army is actually going down there?
1 SAMUEL 17:8; 1 SAMUEL 17:11 · BSB
And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. On hearing the words of the Philistine, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid.
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
He said don’t say “I’m only a child.” Go wherever I send you. Say whatever I tell you. Don’t be afraid of them. I’m with you.
JEREMIAH 1:7–8 · BSB
But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
Told him: why wouldn't I be sad? The city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and its gates have been burned. He asked what I wanted. I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I asked him to send me to Judah to rebuild it.
NEHEMIAH 2:3–5 · BSB
and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” “What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”
Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard. So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.
When I first came to you, I didn’t come with big words or clever arguments. I’d made up my mind to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I was weak. Scared. Shaking.
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
2No way out
Sea in front, army behind. Sometimes there's nowhere to run.
Weren’t there enough graves in Egypt? Is that why Moses brought us all the way out here to die? What has he done to us?
EXODUS 14:11 · BSB
They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
We told him back in Egypt. Leave us alone and let us work for the Egyptians. Better slaves than dead in the desert.
EXODUS 14:12 · BSB
Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Sent off at dawn with some bread and a skin of water. In the desert the water ran out. I put my boy under a bush and went and sat about a bowshot away, because I couldn’t watch him die. And I cried.
GENESIS 21:14–16 · BSB
Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept.
God heard the boy. “Don’t be afraid, Hagar.” Then he opened my eyes, and there was a well. Second time in a desert with nowhere to go. Second time he found me.
GENESIS 21:17–19 · BSB
Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
Huge army heading for the king from beyond the Dead Sea, from Edom. Moabites, Ammonites, Meunites. They’re already at En-gedi. Already.
2 CHRONICLES 20:1–2 · BSB
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).
Jehoshaphat is scared, and he turns to the LORD. He calls a fast across Judah, and people come from every town to ask the LORD for help.
2 CHRONICLES 20:3–4 · BSB
Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.
The king sealed the stone with his own signet ring. Then the rest of us pressed our rings into it as well.
DANIEL 6:17 · BSB
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
So nothing can be changed for Daniel. Nobody gets him out. Not even the king.
DANIEL 6:17 · BSB
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
He told us not to be afraid. He’s got good news, huge joy, for everyone. Today, in David’s town, a Saviour’s been born. The Messiah. The Lord.
LUKE 2:10–11 · BSB
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
I asked, who am I? He didn’t answer that. He said, “I will be with you.”
EXODUS 3:11–12 · BSB
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
He made you. He’s bought you back. Don’t be afraid. He’s called you by name: you’re his. When you go through deep water, he’ll be with you. The rivers won’t sweep you away. Walk through the fire and you won’t get burnt.
ISAIAH 43:1–2 · BSB
But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
The Spirit of the LORD came on me right there in the middle of the crowd. Don’t be afraid of this huge army. The battle isn’t yours. It’s God’s. Tomorrow go down to meet them. You won’t need to fight. Take your places, stand still, and watch the LORD save you.
2 CHRONICLES 20:14–17 · BSB
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”
The king bowed to the ground, and so did everyone. Then we Levites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, at the tops of our voices.
2 CHRONICLES 20:18–19 · BSB
Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him. And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice.
Aren't five sparrows sold for two small coins? God doesn't forget a single one of them. Even the hairs on your head are all counted. So don't be afraid. You're worth more than lots of sparrows.
LUKE 12:6–7 · BSB
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
He touched me and strengthened me. Don’t be afraid, he said. You are highly precious. Peace. Be strong. Be very strong.
DANIEL 10:18–19 · BSB
Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. “Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid. The LORD your God goes with you. He will never leave you or abandon you.
DEUTERONOMY 31:6 · BSB
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
4It's me
In the dark, in the storm, behind locked doors, he turns up.
Middle of the night, and he comes walking to us across the lake. We thought it was a ghost. “It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” So I said, if it’s you, tell me to come. He said, “Come.” I got out of the boat.
MATTHEW 14:25–29 · BSB
During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” “Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.
And I walked. On the water. Honestly. Then I saw the wind and started to sink. Shouted for him to save me. He grabbed me. Asked why I doubted. Such little faith.
MATTHEW 14:29–31 · BSB
“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
They came to tell me she’d died. Don’t bother the teacher. He said to me, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.”
MARK 5:35–36 · BSB
While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”
When we got to the house he told the mourners she was only asleep. They laughed at him.
MARK 5:38–40 · BSB
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him. After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child.
He knew, though. He kept looking round. So I came forward shaking and told him everything. He called me daughter. Said my faith had healed me. Told me to go, at peace now, free of it.
MARK 5:32–34 · BSB
But He kept looking around to see who had done this. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth. “Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”
Last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood next to me. He said: “Don’t be afraid, Paul.” I have to stand before Caesar. And God has given me the lives of everyone sailing with me.
ACTS 27:23–24 · BSB
For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’
Doors locked. We’re scared of the leaders. And he’s standing here with us. Peace be with you.
JOHN 20:19 · BSB
It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them.
Same trip to Gath, before the madman act. The Philistines had grabbed me. What I kept saying: when I'm afraid, I trust you. What can a human being actually do to me?
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Three times in one go he told me to be strong and courageous. Three.
JOSHUA 1:6–9 · BSB
Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them. Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Wherever you send us, we're in. Just be strong and courageous.
JOSHUA 1:16–18 · BSB
So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”
Esther’s reply: get all the Jews in Susa together and fast for her. No food, no water, three days and nights. She and her maids will do the same. Then she’ll go in to the king, even though it’s against the law. And if I die, I die.
ESTHER 4:15–16 · BSB
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
On my knees, giving thanks to my God. Same as I always have.
DANIEL 6:10 · BSB
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Staff. Sling. Five smooth stones from the stream, in my shepherd’s bag. Going down.
1 SAMUEL 17:40 · BSB
And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.
Daniel, servant of the living God! Has your God, the one you serve all the time, been able to rescue you from the lions?
DANIEL 6:20 · BSB
When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
You could hear it in his voice. He was dreading the answer.
DANIEL 6:20 · BSB
When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Everyone made it. Every single one. Two hundred and seventy-six people standing on a beach.
ACTS 27:44; ACTS 27:37 · BSB
The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land. In all, there were 276 of us on board.
We ran to tell the others, scared and so full of joy. And Jesus met us on the way. We took hold of his feet and worshipped him.
MATTHEW 28:8–9 · BSB
So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.
God is our refuge and strength, always there when things go wrong. So we won't be afraid, even if the mountains fall into the sea.
PSALM 46:1–2 · BSB
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,
Fan into flame the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God didn’t give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power, of love and of self-control.
2 TIMOTHY 1:6–7 · BSB
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
What can separate us from the love of Christ? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Danger? The sword?
No. I’m convinced: not death, not life, not angels, not rulers, not what’s happening now, not what’s coming, not any power, not height, not depth, not anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ROMANS 8:35; ROMANS 8:37–39 · BSB
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Achish
