Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for clicking on Part 2 of our “Fear Not” three-part mini-series. For those who were busy living their best godly lives and missed Part 1, please take five minutes to review.
Regarding the “miracle message” that appeared under my desk while I was writing last week’s study, I was encouraged by all the readers who requested a photo. If you are reading Part 1 for the first time and would like to see the photo, my email is at the end of this study.
We begin with a paragraph from last week that sets the stage for today’s verses. I wrote that “fear not” is:
“God’s reassurance that He is with us, because fear is debilitating. Years ago, I read that the devil’s favorite tools are fear and doubt, both of which keep humankind in a state of anxiety. Fear and doubt freeze us into inaction, keeping us from making decisions, taking risks, or moving forward as children of God.”
To quote that famous theologian, President Franklin D. Roosevelt: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” which dovetails nicely with the previous paragraph. Furthermore, in Scripture, whenever we see “fear not” or the more common translation “do not be afraid,” think of those as an invitation to trust God.
Our first set of verses comes from the Psalms. Loyal readers know I’m a huge fan. Check out my “Psalm summer” series from 2024 and 2025. Back by popular demand, a 2026 series is forthcoming. (But now I’m dreaming of a Psalm summer, because of the 40 to 50-degree “Florida arctic” temperatures we’ve been experiencing.)
Interestingly, the Book of Psalms is the Bible's most frequently read book, and the most popular Psalm of all is Psalm 23, which addresses fear and our relationship with God:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
Next, what King David wrote is the gold standard for daily living, if ONLY we could apply it consistently when life is a minefield:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
The following Psalm verse applies logic to faith:
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). That verse reminds me of what I am staring at now, taped to the corner of my laptop:
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Time out. Before we continue with “fear not” verses, I must inject the flip side from a famous Proverb written by King David’s son, King Solomon:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
That “fear of the Lord” theme was included in the “miracle message” that magically appeared under my desk, titled “Gift of the Fear of God.” The first sentence read:
“This gift keeps us in due respect before God and in submission to his will, turning us away from everything that may displease him.” That message complements what Solomon wrote. The takeaway is simple: if we sin, we must fear God, and knowing that truth is essential to understanding who He is. Understanding who He is means we can trust in Him, so we “fear not” in times of trouble.
Let’s turn now to Isaiah, through whom God spoke. It is both difficult and comforting to reconcile that the same God who spoke to Isaiah speaks to us now. And unlike us, God never grows old. In what is a popular verse, He told Isaiah:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). And:
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’” (Isaiah 41:13).
In the “fear not” verse below, God makes it clear that He is the Savior of Israel, which history has proven to be true:
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1).
Excuse me for delving into the political realm. That verse is why believers in Christ must support the State of Israel, no matter how imperfect at times. But let God handle that, for He created and has sustained Israel for a reason.
After thousands of years, with its people scattered throughout the world, God miraculously rebirthed Israel in 1948. A modern rebirth of an ancient nation had never occurred in world history, but God made it happen because “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
That is a good place to conclude this study and ponder how God told Israel to “fear not.” God is the Savior of Israel, and Jesus is our Lord and Savior who ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem and will return. Amen to that!
Finally, a programming note: Vol. 308 - Part 3 of Fear Not, which covers the New Testament, will not appear next week due to a special guest interview. But “fear not” because Part 3 will be published on February 22. Here is a preview:
Jesus said, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36). That verse is now on auto-repeat in my head.
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible" reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2," reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. You can help support our new exhibit in Orlando, Florida. Contact: Myraadams01@gmail.com
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