But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matthew 10:26-29 NLT
Jesus has always been the greatest threat to fear. Fear tries to overcome through ever-multiplying avenues, and with all but one telling fear, Jesus challenges us to choose to deny fear any place in our lives. Matthew records Jesus’ blanket instructions to His friends who He knew would be facing more and more reasons for fear as the world rejected Him. These instructions reach out to us today with powerful confidence because we have the witness of the disciples and centuries after them where Jesus followers have handled fear just as Jesus said. We have every reason to expect God to especially care for us as we believe.
Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. Threats are the language of cowards. They believe if they frighten anyone deeply enough, they can control their behavior. They can make sure the truth is hidden and their lies succeed. Jesus urges us to refuse to cower to threats. Stand for right and truth and do not fear the threats. He promises there will be a day (sometimes the day comes quickly, sometimes not yet) when the truth will be known. When you choose not to fear, full disclosure will always show you standing on the right side. Vindication will come.
Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body. Whew. Big challenge with that one. We believe in heaven, but not many of us truly want to go there right now. Jesus is not encouraging masochistic or passive, self-defeating behavior, or thoughts, He is saying, “Choose your fear.” The ONLY thing the person who hates you most can do anything to is your body. Choose to reverently fear only the One who has power over both your body and soul, your Father.
You can trust your Father. Properly placed awe and reverence, fear of God, is the wisest, most secure choice we can make. All His decisions for us are grounded in who He is. He IS love. He doesn’t simply choose to love you. It is His core. He loves you. He will protect you. If He even loves the sparrows specifically and directly, how can you fear anyone else? Faith decides your Father is in control – and you have nothing more to fear.
- Father, You are my protector, guide, security, and hope. Help me walk in faith today, knowing that no one, not even Satan, has any power over what is most important in my life. I choose You.