September 28

Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” — Isa 35:4 BSB

"Fear not." The soul may reply, "But Lord, I do fear. I fear myself more than anyone else. I fear my corrupt heart, my strong desires and passions, my many internal enemies, the snares of Satan, and the temptations of the world. You say, 'Fear not,' but I can’t help being afraid." Still, the Lord says, "Fear not." Let’s explore this more clearly.

Imagine a crowded place, with a weak woman walking alongside her husband. She’s anxious and fearful about passing through the crowd. Her husband reassures her, saying, "Fear not; hold onto my arm, stay close to me." She clings to him and finds her fears disappear. This is similar to the timid soul facing its enemies. The soul wonders how it will push through its many difficulties and doubts. Then the Lord, like a loving husband, says, "Fear not; take hold of my strength and stay close to me." As the soul clings to Him, its enemies part, and its doubts and fears give way, allowing it to pass safely through.

Another comparison might be a child frightened by a large dog, but the father reassures the child, saying, "Fear not; it won’t harm you as long as you stay close to me." David once cried, "Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog." That dog is Satan, the great mastiff with bloodstained jaws. Yet if the Lord says, "Fear not," what need is there to fear? Satan is a chained enemy. But how desperately the timid soul needs these divine "Fear nots"! Without Christ, the soul is weak, but with Him, it finds strength. Without Him, it trembles, but with Him, it stands bold. As the Scripture says, "Where the word of a king is, there is power," and this is why the Lord’s "Fear nots" are so powerful. As Augustine wisely said, "Give what you command, and command what you will." The burden may still remain, but strength is given to bear it. The trials may not lessen, but the power to endure them increases. The evils of the heart may not disappear, but grace is supplied to subdue them.