Daily Devotionals

No Fear

Posted in Fear/Anxiety

Scripture: “The Lord said to Joshua: ‘This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’” – Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

We were in Colorado a couple of weeks ago, and I’m sure you’re already guessing– I saw lots of wildlife. In fact, a good friend was praying for our trip and specifically asked that God might show me something amazing so I could write about it!

And then, that very first night, we wandered toward the park’s beautiful lake and walked up on this precious young bunny. He still had the fuzzy fur of a newborn, and he sat so still studying us.

We were only a few feet from him and, because he was so young, he didn’t seem to know to be afraid of us. I’m sure mother rabbit was nearby taking note that a stranger-danger lesson needed prioritizing in the coming days!

What’s it like to not know fear?

I think of my earliest faith. I feel like I’ve always believed in God. Having lost a sibling as a young child, I clung to the faith of my parents. I don’t remember feeling afraid or even thinking of the possibility that God wasn’t watching over me. Like the baby bunny, my young self didn’t understand being afraid. If only that had lasted.

There’s a lot of fear and anxiety in our complex world today. We live under the threat of world wars, pandemics, and global economic failure. In our homes, we face fears about our finances, health, and relationships. What would it be like to give those fears to God and trust as a child? What would it be like to not be afraid? Can you believe it’s actually possible?

It is because God invites us to a life free from fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT).

He wants us to trust him, as his beloved children, because he’s carefully watching over us each and every day. He’s always with us, even (and maybe especially) when the world looks scary. He’s never silent, never absent. In fact, he’s right there on every part of our journey, and though we are confident that life’s difficulties will arise, we can be more confident still that God is going before us, behind us, and beside us through it all. So give your fears to God. Trust your Heavenly Father in everything. Live with childlike faith. 

Prayer:  “Yea, 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, NKJV). Amen.

Submitted by Natalie Hall, Missionary

(Natalie is an EPC Missionary based in Texas and a remote member of Liz Agee and Becky Smythe’s Women’s Small Group.)