I recently picked up a small, thin Bible that my brother, Sam, gave me when I was a senior in college. The last time I had picked up this Bible was right before I went to the hospital for surgery at the end of July last year. I chose to pack it that day for its compact size instead of my usual “go-to” Life Application Study Bible which would have taken up more room in my little suitcase.
When I picked up the small Bible, I noticed a verse that I had tucked into the front. An appropriate verse for how I felt that day. Fearful. Isaiah 41:13 “For I, the Lord Thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee.”
There were so many “unknowns” to that day, and I desperately needed the reminder from my Faithful Friend Who would hold my hand through it all!
As I’ve been reading through the Bible this year I have come to the final chapters of Deuteronomy. Moses is preparing Israel for his imminent death and giving them a few important reminders. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Then in the next verses, Moses turns to Joshua and gives him a similar admonition: “And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
It was not Moses’ simple words, “fear not”, that were going to enable the Israelites and Joshua to do accordingly, but that’s often what we like to focus on: “Fear not” ! We think, “I shouldn’t fear. Now what?” But our focus should be on God! If our mind is fixed on Him we will be kept in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). That’s the opposite of fear.
Part of living a joyful life is to always focus on our Good and Faithful God, not on the fears that clamor like a toddler for our attention.
Here are some more of my favorite verses to keep our focus steady during fearful times: Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 56:3; Psalm 118:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; and Psalm 34:4.