Do Not Be Afraid - Let God Take Care of You [Matthew 10]
26"Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
27"What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
These words were spoken to the 12 disciples before Jesus sent them out. He told them that He knew He was sending them out like sheep among wolves (v. 16) but still all the way through this passage He exhorts them not to be afraid. Why? Because nothing happens (not even a sparrow falling to the ground) without your Father's consent. And just in case you are thinking that surely there are some things God is not bothered with, He adds that even the hairs of your head have been counted.
Fear. It is the thing that keeps us from moving. It means "to hold in highest value." As I read that Jesus sends us out like sheep among wolves, I immediately have fear. I hold in highest value that sheep are vulnerable and need to be protected from wolves not sent out among them. But what He is calling me to hold in highest value is my Father who is protecting me. He is even going to speak through me by His Spirit (v.20).
May we walk today fearing (holding in highest value) God, our protector, who considers us valuable enough to not let anything happen to us without His consent. As we recognize the other things we fear may we exchange them for the truth about God's character.
Verna McCrillis, 1/12/2009