Fear Not, for God is With You
Mary’s Unwavering Faith in God’s Plan
And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’”
— Luke 1:30-33 (ESV)
Mary was a young teenage girl, likely no older than fifteen or sixteen, yet she was entrusted with one of the greatest callings in human history—to carry and give birth to the Savior of the world. She knew the Old Testament prophecies about the long-awaited Messiah and the challenges she would face as an unwed mother in her culture. Despite the certainty of ridicule, rejection, and possible danger, she responded in faith:
“Be it unto me according to thy Word…” (Luke 1:38)
She yielded herself fully to God’s plan, choosing obedience over fear.
The Command to Fear Not
The angel Gabriel’s words—“Do not be afraid”—were more than just reassurance; they were a command. Mary had every reason to fear, yet she trusted in God’s protection and purpose. Throughout Scripture, we see this same command given to many of God’s people:
- Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and the prophets were all told: “Do not fear.”
- Jesus often reassured His followers with the words: “Fear not.”
Some say that “Fear Not” appears in the Bible 365 times—one for each day of the year. While translations may vary, the message remains the same: God calls us to trust Him completely, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Resting in God’s Faithfulness
Fear is a natural response to uncertainty, but faith is the antidote. Like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead is unclear. Whatever challenges you face today, know this:
- God is with you in every trial.
- He has a plan beyond what you can see.
- His love will never fail you.
Reflection Question
What fears are you holding onto today that God is asking you to release to Him?
