The Scriptures assume we have fears when we face life’s challenges. But God doesn’t leave us drowning in our fears. He addresses it. “Do not be afraid,” he repeats over and over in all kinds of fearful situations. And why shouldn’t we be afraid? Because we’re not alone. God is with us.

“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
 I am your shield,
 your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1  Abraham was afraid that he would never have a child. But God assured him that he was taking care of him.

“God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.” Genesis 21:17 Hagar was afraid her son was going to die. But God saw her desperate situation and came to help her.

“That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” Genesis 26:24 Isaac was afraid conflicts would never end. But God assured him of blessings ahead.

“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.  I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” Genesis 46:3-4 Jacob had misgivings as he was about to move. But God promised to be with him and bless him.

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land.” Joshua 8:1 Joshua was afraid to try again after a terrible defeat. But God promised him victory.

“When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!”
But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”
So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace.” Judges 6:22-24 Gideon was afraid of encountering God. But God gave him peace.

Sometimes God uses others to help us defeat our fears. They remind us who God is and what he has promised. But notice that we have to be in the company of other believers in order to receive this kind of encouragement. We can’t get this help when we’re isolating ourselves from the faith community.

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” Exodus 14:13 The people were rightfully afraid in a seemingly impossible situation- they were backed up against the Red Sea as the mighty Egyptian army approached. But Moses calmed them with God’s promise.

“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. . . Hear, O Israel, today ye shall do battle against your enemies; but do not let your heart fear, and do not be afraid; do not give place to panic, and do not fear them.  For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:1,3-4 The men were afraid before their first battle. Moses encouraged them with God’s promise of victory.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 The people were afraid of what lay ahead as they were about to try to conquer Canaan. Moses, shortly before his death, reminded them that God is with them.

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 The servant was frightened by the strength of the enemy. Elisha prays for him and shares insight into the spiritual world that the servant couldn’t see on his own.

“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 Solomon was facing a daunting task. David encourages his son to work hard because God promised to be with him.

“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.
Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah. . .He said: “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. . .stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.. . all the people. . . fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites . . . stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.’” 2 Chronicles 20:12-15,17,18-19 The people were afraid of the huge army poised to attack them. God used one man to deliver God’s promise as they were gathered to pray at the Temple. Then they worshiped together.

“Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’” Haggai 2:4-5 The people who came back from exile feared for their future. But God used the prophet to assure them God was still with them.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God is with you.”