The Promises Following “Fear Not”
November 29, 2023
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown” (Mark 4:13-20).
In this parable, Jesus compares our hearts to soil and His Word to seed. The condition of our hearts is so important in our walk with Jesus. The better the condition of your heart, the more God can produce in you and through you. When the seed didn’t produce life in Jesus’ story, it was never because of the seed but always had to do with the state of the soil. The same is true for our hearts. If God’s Word isn’t bearing fruit in our lives, the condition of our hearts must change.
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
God’s Word tells us that it’s in the depth of our hearts that we believe in who He is.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
God’s Word tells us that our hearts need to be softened by the Lord in order for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and lead us in God’s perfect ways.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7).
God’s Word tells us that it is what resides in our hearts that the Lord looks at to determine our strength, ability, and passion for Him.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
God’s Word tells us that our heart is the source of our life.
Knowing that the condition of my heart is crucial to my walk with Jesus, it makes sense why the enemy so persistently attacks my heart, for he wants to kill any life that could grow from it.
“The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
We know that our hearts are our source of life. Jesus came that we may have abundant life. He came to save us from our sinful human nature, saving us from the sinful condition of our hearts. So what is the enemy trying to steal, kill, and destroy? He’s trying to kill our heart for Jesus.
As I look around at what is going on in our world and even in what is going on in my close community, including me, fear seems to be a common denominator. It grips our hearts so easily. Fear is one of Satan’s main tactics because it tears us apart on the inside, creates division, and produces doubt in the goodness of God. When Satan can get us paralyzed in fear, it becomes easier for him to negate our faith. Did you know that fear is physical, changing our blood flow to flow away from our hearts and into our limbs so that it’s easier to fight or run? Even our biology proves that fear takes away from our hearts, from our source of life.
But we have a good God who knows our flesh is vulnerable to fear. He has equipped us with the Bible that is alive and God-breathed. And in His Word, God tells us not to be afraid. The term “fear not” is in the Bible 365 times. We have a reminder to turn from fear on each day of the year. We know our God is intentional in all He does and this can be no coincidence!
On one of my prayer walks this past week, I was talking to God about fear in my own heart. I heard Him say, “I don’t guide you into places where I will not provide. Every time I tell you not to be afraid, it’s not because I trust your character… It’s because you should trust Mine.”
This stopped me in my tracks. Every single time God tells us not to be afraid in His Word, it’s followed by a promise. Those promises have nothing to do with our own strength, and everything to do with who our God is.
“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward’” (Genesis 15:1).
“‘So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:21).
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again” (Exodus 14:13).
“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord you God himself will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 3:22).
“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you” (Deuteronomy 20:1).
“‘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).
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 ).
“Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them’” (Daniel 10:12).
“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people’” (Luke 2:10).
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Do not be afraid, I am your shield.
Do not be afraid, I will provide.
Do not be afraid, I will deliver you.
Do not be afraid, I will fight for you.
Do not be afraid, I will be with you.
Do not be afraid, I will never leave you.
Do not be afraid, I am your Comforter.
Do not be afraid, I hear your prayers.
Do not be afraid, I see you as worthy of My care.
Do not be afraid, I bring good news and joy.
Do not be afraid, I am your peace.
These are just a few of the commands to not fear followed by one of God’s promises to His children. We’re living in a time where there’s so much emphasis on and assurance in what we feel and desire. God is not saying yes to “our truth” and it pains Him to watch His children walk away from His promises in an attempt to take control. But He will always say yes to our desire to know Him, surrender to Him, and walk in His ways, standing firm on His promises when we give Him our yes.
“Every time I tell you not to be afraid, it’s not because I trust your character… It’s because you should trust Mine.” I am so grateful that I don’t have to live in fear, not because I am capable of courage on my own, but because I have a Father who promises to work wonders in my own life, fighting my battles for me and giving me victory in Jesus. Apart from God, fear is my only reality. But His nature is to give His children abundant life because He is good.
What is the condition of your heart? Is your heart fertile soil, bearing the fruit of the Word of God? If not, how does your heart need to change? Where is the enemy trying to steal, kill, and destroy your heart? Is your heart gripped by fear? What is God’s promise in response to your fear? How can you give Him your heart and operate from the abundant life that comes only from His goodness?
To my First Love,
Today, I fall to my knees in adoration that Your strength and Your grace steps in where my efforts end. I don’t have to be afraid, not because I am capable of having courage, but because You are a good, good Father. I will never get over the fact that I get to operate out of a place of victory because Jesus conquered the grave. Thank You, Abba God.
Amen