A Halloween Message That’s No Trick, all Treat

Since today is Halloween, I give you these ten verses (please insert your name when a Biblical name or place is given):

Genesis 15:1: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Abram). I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Genesis 21:17: “What is the matter, _______ (Hagar)? Do not be afraid; God has heard ….”
2 Chronicles 20:15: “Listen, _______ (King Jehoshaphat) and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Jeremiah 46:27: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Jacob) my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place.”
Joel 2:21: “Do not be afraid, _______ (land of Judah); be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things!”
Luke 1:13: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Zechariah); your prayer has been heard.”
Luke 1:30: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Mary); you have found favor with God.”
Luke 5:10: Then Jesus said to _______ (Simon), “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Luke 8:50: Jesus said to _______ (Jairus), “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
John 12:15: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Daughter Zion); see, your king is coming,”

The personalize version of those aforementioned verses are still true. My friends, hear this from the Lord: DO NOT BE AFRAID. Someone has said that the words “Fear Not” appear 365 times in the Bible (once for each day of the year). I haven’t counted them, so I will assume it’s true (or close enough). Whether there are 365 daily reminders or not, the message repeatedly given in the Bible is this: DO NOT BE AFRAID.

We are living in such fearful times. There’s more fear now than ever in my lifetime. People are…

  • afraid of the tanking economy; 
  • afraid they can’t afford the basics of life
  • afraid of what will happen to your 403b; 
  • afraid that the opposing political party (not yours) will win the election; 
  • afraid that Russia might use a nuclear bomb; 
  • afraid of anyone not like themselves; 
  • afraid of getting sick; 
  • afraid of getting old; 
  • afraid of being alone; 
  • afraid of crowds; 
  • afraid for your children; 
  • afraid that the world is changing into something they do not like; 
  • afraid of so many, many things. 

Followers of Christ should be the least fearful people on the planet. Read that last sentence again. Slowly if you must. Followers of Jesus know their future. Followers of Jesus know that God wins in the end. Followers of Jesus know that He is with us wherever we go. Followers of Jesus are never alone. Followers of Jesus are infused with the Holy Spirit’s power. Followers of Jesus are children of the King. Followers of Jesus know He is coming again. The Psalmist said it best: The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:6)

Hear those repeated words again, this is no trick. It’s all treat on this Halloween and every other day of the year: FEAR NOT!