As we approach and celebrate Christmas, we remember how God sought a godly virgin who would become pregnant by Holy Spirit power and carry our Immanuel. God sent an Angel to give the news to Mary. Naturally she feared not only the Angel, but also the circumstances regarding the birth. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God.” Luke 1:30
The most common command in scripture is, “Do not be afraid.” God broke through humanity, by doing the impossible – making a virgin pregnant through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. WHAT DIVINE MIRACLE DO YOU NEED THIS CHRISTMAS?
After Joseph had considered the news of his fiancé Mary, becoming pregnant by supernatural means, “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her, is of the Holy Spirit. Matt. 1:20 Father God calmed Joseph’s fear. When God tells us to not be afraid, it might not only be to quieten our genuine fear, but because Abba is preparing something bigger for us.
In Genesis 15 we read how Abram rescued Lot in a fierce battle and won. After that, when God made a covenant with Abram, He said to Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield and your very great reward.” What battles are you in right now? It’s easy to give up and get tired, but Father God says to us, “Don’t be afraid! Trust Me. I am your shield and your prize.”
Fear is a natural emotion. Sometimes we fear people or rejection. We can be afraid that we will fail or make the wrong choices. God watches over us and tells us that we need not be afraid! He fights for us to be victorious! When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses was scared. But God said to him – “I WILL BE WITH YOU.” Ex. 3:12 When the Israelites faced the Red Sea ahead and their enemies behind them, God spoke to them through Moses and said – “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Ex. 14:13 Sometimes we try and fix our own struggles and battles, forgetting that God is on our side. We fight so hard that we fail to be still and listen to the quiet, reassuring Voice of the Holy Spirit telling us that He is with us, and He will help us. GOD IS ABLE TO DO THE SUPERNATURAL WITHIN YOU, AND FOR YOU!
Heavenly Abba Father God, thank You so much that we need NOT fear, that You fight our battles for us when we trust You. Thank You, that just like You sent an Angel to Mary and Joseph to calm their fears; You also place the Holy Spirit within us, to direct, comfort and help us. Thank You that we can trust You, that we can be still before You when we read your word or pray, that we can hear and obey that still small voice telling us, “Do not be afraid, I am with you.”
Myrtle Turunen