“Fear not.”

Revelation 1:17-18, When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

In the presence of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the meaning of the fear of the Lord is quite evident. And His response gives us a picture of what He has done for us all, for without Him we were “dead in our trespasses and sin.” The dead don’t hear, see or respond. But He gives us life and tells us “Fear not.” When the things of this world are shaken, He is never shaken. Jesus “do not be anxious about your life.” “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” He asks us to seek first His kingdom and “all these things will be added to you.”

We thank You for raising us to Your new life; we put our trust in You!

ESV Lectionary