Why is it important to "fear not" when proclaiming God's word, per Isaiah 40:9? Scripture Focus “Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, messenger of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, messenger of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ ” (Isaiah 40:9) What “fear not” means in this context • A direct command: God is not merely encouraging; He is instructing. • A settled attitude: refusing intimidation, hesitation, or self-consciousness when speaking His truth. • A faith response: trusting the character and promises of the One who sends the message. Why it matters to fear not when proclaiming God’s Word • The message is God-centered, not messenger-centered. Fear shifts focus to self; courage keeps attention on “Here is your God!” • Fear muffles the volume. God orders, “lift up your voice with strength.” Boldness ensures the good news is actually heard. • Fear implies doubt in God’s sufficiency. Confidence testifies that His Word is inherently powerful (Isaiah 55:11). • Fear contradicts the spirit God supplies. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). • Fearless proclamation fulfills Christ’s Great Commission. “Go therefore and make disciples… and surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:19-20). His abiding presence cancels every excuse for timidity. Biblical examples of fearless proclamation • Jeremiah: “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you” (Jeremiah 1:8). • Peter and John: prayed for boldness, “and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31). • Paul: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). • Stephen: faced a hostile council yet declared the whole counsel of God (Acts 7). • The women at the empty tomb: “Do not be afraid… go, tell His disciples” (Matthew 28:10). Promised presence and power • The Spirit equips: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8). • The Lord defends: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). • The Word sustains: “The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). If the message is eternal, the messenger can be fearless. Practical takeaways for today • Anchor your confidence in God’s unchanging character before you speak. • Speak from Scripture itself; its authority silences objections. • Remember the audience ultimately answers to God, not you. • Expect opposition, but also expect God’s enabling. • Let love for people outweigh fear of their reactions (1 John 4:18). • Keep the spotlight on Christ; proclaim, “Here is your God!” with joy and conviction. |
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