Do Not Be Afraid
Scripture Reading — Genesis 3:1-10
[Adam] answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid ..." Genesis 3:10
In the Christmas story, the shepherds were caring for their flocks out in the fields at night. They were probably all sitting around a campfire when an angel appeared to them. The Bible tells us "they were terrified" (Luke 2:9).
Fear is nothing new.
Probably the first emotion that Adam experienced after he and Eve fell into sin was fear. They had eaten the fruit of the tree from which they were not to eat (see Genesis 2:15-17). Then when they heard God walking in the garden, they hid. God asked why, and Adam said he was afraid.
Since that day, we humans have lived with fear—fear of God, fear of others, fear of the future, fear of what might happen to us, and fear of the ultimate result of sin—death.
There is so much in life to fear. That's why the words of the angel are so important. As he announces the birth of the Christ, the One who will reverse the effects of sin in this world, the angel simply says, "Do not be afraid."
The message is clear and simple.
Even though we all have times in life when we are afraid, we belong to the One who is more powerful than anything we fear.
Father in heaven, our hearts often fill with fear and anxiety. Help us to remember we belong to you, we can trust you to care for us, and we do not have to be afraid. Amen.
About the author — Joel Sheeres
Rev. Joel Sheeres is the pastor at First Christian Reformed Church in Crown Point, Indiana. He and his wife, Christine, have three children. Pastor Sheeres has previously served at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.
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