Fear Not

Daily Reading: Luke 12

Scripture Focus: Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12.32)

Devotional Thought: Fear not? Given the situation in the world today, that is a hard instruction to follow.

Still, Jesus says, “Fear not”...

• God has given us the kingdom. Jesus’ disciples were going to undergo intense persecution. Religious leaders, government officials, disappointed families, and frightened citizens would reject them and pressure them to recant. They were going to lose their livelihoods. But, Jesus wanted them to know that they were members of another society, the Kingdom of Heaven. We are told, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3.20). Fear not!

• Our treasure is in heaven and does not fail. My wife and I keep a close watch on the stock market because the value of our retirement account varies with it. Recently, the market took a big hit. In times like that, I need to be reminded that the stock market is not a guaranteed source of income in this world, much less in the world to come. Earlier in this 12thchapter of Luke, Jesus said, “This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” While we can’t hold on to earthly wealth, we have treasure in heaven that is eternal! Fear not!

• Our hearts will be satisfied. A broken heart is hard to mend. The disciples faced real rejection and loss and subsequently real pain. Each of us experience pain and loss in this life. But, for those whose treasure is in heaven, God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21.4). Fear not!

Prayer: Amazing grace, O Father, that you have given us the kingdom. You are pleased to give us the kingdom! I will not fear, for I am yours. In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. (Psalms 139:1-6)