God would not command us to “not be afraid” if it was not also paired with a promise.
[Tweet “God would not command us to “not be afraid” if it wasn’t also paired with a promise.”]
More than 300 times in the Bible, God commands His people to “not be afraid,” “do not fear” or “fear not.” By mere mathmatics alone, the command to not be afraid is the most oft repeated command in Scripture. I haven’t counted them all, but one person I read said there were 365 commands to not be afraid, one for every day of the year.
In 2 Kings chapter 6, the armies of Aram were coming against the nation of Israel. The King of Aram sent an army of chariots and horses to surround the city. Elisha, the prophet of God, had a servant who did the Lord’s work with him. The servant woke up early in the morning, went outside only to see the horses and chariots with the army of Aram surrounding the city. He went to Elisha and said, “Oh, sir, what shall we do now?”
2 Kings 6:16-17 says, “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
See that? Don’t be afraid…for! God would not command us to “not be afraid” if it was not also paired with a promise.
Now, not every verse in the Bible that tells us to not be afraid is paired with a “for,” but many of them are.
Isaiah 35:4 Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (FOR I am leaving you with peace)
Joshua 1:9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Deuteronomy 31:6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
(This is my favorite) Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Time and time again, God tells us to not be afraid for… I am with you. I will strengthen you. I will give you peace. I will go before you.
God would not command us to “not be afraid” if it was not also paired with a promise.