Day 9

From Our Fears and Sins Release Us Day 9



Psalm 27:1-3, Psalm 27:7-14, Psalm 135:5-7, Isaiah 43:1-3, Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 8:31-39, 2 Timothy 1:7

BY Beverly Berrus

“Famines, diseases, and wars. Oh my!” Sometimes my mental list of fears sounds like a scene out of The Wizard of Oz. Let’s be real; there’s so much to be scared of: oppressive authority, broken relationships, miscarriages, natural disasters, difficult family dynamics, sickness, and death—and the list goes on. You may find it odd to think about fearful things during Advent, but fear and death are a part of the reason Jesus entered our time and world.

Do you know what one of the most-repeated commands in Scripture is? It’s, “Do not be afraid.” This command is repeated so often it tells us something about our human nature. We’re prone to fear. When the curse of sin entered the world, so did fear. It casts a shadow on every aspect of our humanity. The security of eternal life and perfect love in God’s presence became uncertain. Being in fear’s grip is exhausting, and makes false prophets of us as we entertain endless what-ifs. Thankfully, fear will not have the last word.

If we looked up all the Bible passages that said, “Do not be afraid,” we would find that they’re often linked to God’s presence and salvation. In today’s reading, Jesus, seeing the terror on His disciples’ faces said, “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). 

Fear and sin can only be banished by the presence of God. So God came. He dwelled among us for a time, just as the prophets foretold. And He made a way for God’s Spirit to dwell in us so that His perfect love could forever chase away our sorrows, sins, and fears. He has given us new hearts and a spirit of “power, love, and sound judgment” (2Timothy 1:7) so that we might have new life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).

What are you worried or fretting about today? The holidays can be difficult for many of us. Here is good news of great joy! God isn’t irritated by our need for comfort and refuge. He’s eager to fill those needs for us in Himself. He is for us, and His presence drives away our sins and fears like light scattering the darkness. Don’t be afraid; He has promised that nothing can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:31–39).

Post Comments (135)

135 thoughts on "From Our Fears and Sins Release Us Day 9"

  1. Brandy Deruso says:

    Lord you are good!

  2. Meg Jett says:

    I’ve been there my friend, and it can truly be terrifying and paralyzing if you allow the fear to overshadow everything. God is capable of sustaining you through this time and wants you to lean into His strength while you you endure this season of health challenges. He is good and will help you in ways you won’t even imagine!

  3. Kristen says:

    Remember, sweet one, salvation is a GIFT of God, not by works so that no one may boast

    Romans 3:23-25

    [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

    Galatians 2:16

    [16] yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

  4. Jamie Weaver says:

    My fear lately has been what if I am not doing enough…if I’m really just coasting and not serving others or being obedient as I should. Will I reach the end and realize I never knew him?

  5. Rebekah Davis says:

    Praise the Lord!!!!

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