There are many pressures on us these days and we tend to worry about all sorts of things but the Bible tells us three hundred and sixty five times not to be afraid. Dr John Das shows us why our loving God is speaking this important message to our hearts today.
CALLED BY OUR NAME
God loves each one of us intimately and has called each one of us by our name. Jesus is the good shepherd who calls us to follow Him. “The sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3) A good shepherd knows each one of his sheep and if he loses one he always knows which one is missing without counting them. Then he will go out searching for the lost sheep. When he finds it he will know it by its bleating. He will be able to pick it out from among all the other lost sheep, even though they all look alike because he knows his sheep so well.
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR US
God said, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah1:5) He is saying the same thing to us today. God had a plan for each one of us, even before we were born. We are the chosen ones and he loves each one of us individually, so there is no need to be afraid. He knows us and loves us. “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4)
DIVINE PROTECTION
God will protect us from all harm. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den and they left him there for six days. (Daniel 14: 31-42) In the pit were seven starving lions but God protected him and the lions did not eat him. This was a miracle but even more amazing is that God also took care to satisfy his beloved son, Daniel’s, hunger. He sent an angel to the prophet Habakkuk, who was in Judaea preparing a meal for the workers in the fields. The angel asked him to take the food instead to Daniel, then took hold of Habakkuk by his hair and flew with him at the speed of the wind to Babylon which was a great distance away. The angel set Habakkuk down on the edge of the pit and he called to Daniel to take the food that God had sent him. Daniel replied, “You have remembered me, O God, and have not forsaken those who love you.” (Daniel 14:37) If we too love God like Daniel did then He will never abandon us.
GOD HOLDS OUR HANDS
When we have problems and times are difficult we should not be afraid because God our father is holding our hand and walking with us. “I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13) Even if we turn away from God we should not be afraid because he allows us to say sorry and turn back to Him. When we go to the Sacrament of Confession there is no condemnation. We are forgiven and there is great joy in heaven and in our hearts. When we are walking in His ways, the Lord is delighted. We may struggle sometimes but He will give us strength. He makes our steps firm and although we may stumble He will stop us from falling over because he is holding our hands. (Psalm 37:23-24).
GOD ACTS MIRACULOUSLY
When you follow God’s ways he will protect you and give you everything you need. “God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) I remember, a few years ago, one rainy Sunday evening when I was driving with my wife. Suddenly our car broke down. It stopped and I couldn’t fix it. So we started to pray. Very soon two men on a motorbike came towards us and asked what was wrong. I explained that there was a problem with the battery. They left us and returned with a car battery which they fitted in our car. Then they very kindly came back to our home with us, on their bike in the pouring rain. When we got home they took back their battery and drove off. Before they left I offered them some money for their trouble but they refused. We were very surprised and grateful for their help and we thanked God for sending them to us. I had never seen these people before or since that time but I am convinced that it was God who was acting through them to rescue us in our hour of need. So there is no need to be afraid if you love God and give your heart to Him. When you do this you will want to return quickly back to Him when you fall and in return He will be with you always to guide and protect you.