Al-Tirah: Do not be afraid

Worry is a place of exile and pain...

The Spirit of the LORD speaks to the heart of faith: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, and you are mine” (Isa. 43:1). God has personally redeemed you, friend; he calls you by name, and you belong to Him. Faith finds its place in God’s heart. The Lord loves you with an everlasting love (אהבת עולם) and draws you close (Jer. 31:3). He will never leave nor forsake you, even if you might face waters that seem to overwhelm or fires that seem to devour (Isa. 43:2). The will of your Heavenly Father will never lead you to a place where his love will not there sustain you.

Worry is a place of exile and pain. We are commanded, al tira, “fear not,” because fear was behind the original sin in the garden, just as mistrust lies behind our own hiding and self-imposed exile from God... Since sin expresses a heart of fear (Rom. 14:23), the way of healing is to courageously turn back to God, despite our uncertainties. We can trust God’s love for us because of the cross of Yeshua our Lord. If we haven't received God's love and acceptance, we are still enslaved to fear and abide in a state of exile. The love of God casts out our fear because it casts out all our sins (1 John 4:18).

It is written, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a “sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Memorize that verse. The Greek word for “sound mind” (σωφρονισμός) comes from a verb (i.e., sodzo: σῴζω) that means being made “safe” (i.e., soas: σωός) or healed because of the power and grace of the Living God... If you sense fearful oppression or chaos within your heart, turn to the Lord and offer him focused praise. Lift up your soul to him and thank him for your trouble. This has the double benefit of exercising your trust in God’s care as well as vexing the enemy of your soul. Come boldly to the throne of grace to find your help (Heb. 4:16); cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).

The Name of the LORD (יהוה) means “Presence” and “Love” (Exod. 3:14; 34:6-7). Yeshua said, “I go to prepare a place for you,” which means that his presence and love are waiting for you in whatever lies ahead (John 14:1-3; Rom. 8:35-39). To worry is to “practice the absence” of God instead of to practice His Presence... Trust the word of the Holy Spirit: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for healing peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11).

Take comfort that your Heavenly Father sees when the sparrow falls; he arrays the flower in its hidden valley; and he calls each star by name. More importantly, the Lord sees you and understands your struggle with fear... Come to him with your needy heart and trust him to deliver you from the burdens of your soul (Matt. 11:28). Amen.­

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­Isaiah 43:1b

אַל־תִּירָא כִּי גְאַלְתִּיךָ
קָרָאתִי בְשִׁמְךָ לִי־אָתָּה

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, and you are mine.”