BE NOT AFRAID

          " The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalm 27:1

          What is your heaviest fear or burden today?  "Cast your burden on the Lord and He shall sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved."  Psalm 55:22

          Do you have fear that keeps you awake at night?  "I cried to the Lord with my voice and He heard me from His holy hill.  I lay down and slept; I awoke for the Lord sustained me.  Psalm 3:4,5

          Is fear nagging at your mind?  "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God I have put my trust; I will not fear."  Psalm 56;3, 4

          Fear Not" appears 92 times and "Be not afraid" appears 29 times in scripture. I think God knew that we humans would suffer with fear and that is why the scriptures talk so much about it. If we truly believe that God will be with us, the only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord; and that fear is reverential fear or awe.

          "Be Not Afraid" was written in 1975 by Robert J. Dufford. He was born in 1943 and was a Jesuit priest, part of a St. Louis Jesuit musical group, and a composer of Catholic liturgical music.  In his hymn Dufford encourages the faithful that God will always be with us. Directly inspired by scripture quotes, Dufford uses biblical examples of God's protection to illustrate His divine providence and love.

          The lyrics for this hymn are directly inspired by the Bible, specifically Isaiah 43:2-3 and Luke 6:20.  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead." "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God".

          This song might be new to many of you, but I think its message is a source of strength and comfort for so many people during these days of challenges and change.  Study the words this week and put your trust in the One who cares and protects.

          "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."  Isaiah 41:10

You shall cross the barren desert,

but you shall not die of thirst.

You shall wander far in safety

though you do not know the way.

You shall speak your words in foreign lands

and all will understand.

You shall see the face of God and live.

Be not afraid.

I go before you always.

Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea,

you shall not drown.

If you walk amid the burning flames,

you shall not be harmed.

If you stand before the pow'r of hell

and death is at your side,

know that I am with you through it all.

Be not afraid.

I go before you always.

Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

Blessed are your poor,

for the kingdom shall be theirs.

Blest are you that weep and mourn,

for one day you shall laugh.

And if wicked tongues insult and hate you

all because of me,

blessed, blessed are you!

Be not afraid.

I go before you always.

Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

Listen to it here.  AFRAID