Fear No One

We can see how the Prophet Jeremiah is a “type” of Christ. He is plotted against and denounced because he was doing God’s work. Jeremiah preached to the Southern Kingdom and encouraged them to change their ways lest they fall like the Northern Kingdom fell. But the people did not want to hear it. I guess no one really wants to be told that they are going down the wrong path and to change their ways, but these people wanted to kill Jeremiah.

Perhaps there have been times in our lives when we felt not liked or unwanted for standing up for what we believe in or remaining true to our beliefs. In times such as these, we might feel unjustified, frustrated, and even all alone. But we know that we are not alone. Jesus tells His disciples, “Fear no one.” Not because they are invincible but because God is in control. That was true then and it is true today: God is in control. Whether good or bad, happy or sorrowful, everything and every situation that God permits to happen has a deeper and greater purpose than what it appears to be on the surface. This is especially hard to see in the face of tragedy.

God does not permit tragedies to happen because He is cold-hearted or because He wants to punish us but because even when out of our own free will and free choice we make bad decisions or others make bad decisions, God can bring good out of whatever consequence that should come. This good may not always be apparent and we may never even see it, but good always comes, whether for us or others, in this life or the next.

Brothers and sisters, with God watching over us and being in control, we truly do not need to fear anyone or anything. God will see us through the storms of our lives. God will walk with us through the dark valleys that frighten us. God remains with us always. Fear not!