Editor’s note: Yesterday, we shared a devotion from Seeking After the Heart of God for 52 Weeks by Max Lucado. You can read it here and then continue reading below.
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Could you use some courage like David had? Are you backing down more than you are standing up? If so, let the Master lead you out into the valley. Let Him remind you why you should “fear not” when it comes to your foe. Listen to the time Jesus scattered the butterflies out of the stomachs of His nervous disciples in Matthew 10:5–31 and see if His words help you.
Remember, the disciples were common men given a compelling task. Before they were the stained-glassed saints we see in the windows of cathedrals, they were somebody’s next-door neighbors trying to make a living and raise a family. They weren’t cut from theological cloth or raised on supernatural milk. But they were an ounce more devoted than they were afraid and, as a result, they did some extraordinary things.
They would have done nothing, however, had they not learned to face their fears. Jesus knew that. So He spoke words of courage to them.
Jesus was about to send the disciples out on their own.
For a limited time, they were to go into the cities and do what He had done—but without Him. Jesus assembled them to give some final instructions. Perhaps the disciples looked nervous. They had reason to be nervous. What Jesus was about to tell them would raise the pulse rate of the stoutest heart.
First, Jesus tells them not to take any extra money or extra clothing on their journey.
“No money?”
Then He assures them that they are being sent out like sheep among wolves.
“Uh, what do you mean, Jesus?”
His answer is not reassuring. He tells them they will be taken before the authorities (uh-oh), flogged (ouch), and arrested (groan). And it gets worse before it gets better.
Jesus goes on to describe the impact their mission will have on people:
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm in the end will be saved. — verses 21–22
Some eyes duck. Some eyes widen. Someone swallows. Feet shift. A brow is wiped. And though no one says it, you know someone is thinking, Is it too late to get out of this?
That’s the setting for Jesus’ words of courage to His disciples. Three times in five verses He says,
Do not be afraid. — verses 26, 28, 31
Read the words and see His call and cause for courage. See the reason you should sleep well tonight:
So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. — verse 26
On the surface, those words would seem like a reason for panic rather than a source of peace. Who of us would like to have our secret thoughts made public? Who would get excited over the idea that every wrong deed we’ve ever done will be announced to everyone?
You’re right, no one would. But we’re told over and over that such a thing will happen:
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. — Hebrews 4:13
He reveals deep and hidden things; Je knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. — Daniel 2:22
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. — 1 Corinthians 4:5
To think of the disclosure of my hidden heart conjures up emotions of shame, humiliation, and embarrassment in me. There are things I’ve done that I want no one to know. There are thoughts I’ve thought that I would never want to be revealed. So why does Jesus point to the day of revelation as a reason for courage?
The answer is found in Romans 2:16. Let out a sigh of relief as you underline the last three words of this verse:
This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ.
Did you see it? Jesus is the screen through which God looks when He judges our sins. Now read another chorus of verses and focus on their promise:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. — Romans 8:1
Through Him everyone who believes is set free from every sin. — Acts 13:39
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. — Hebrews 8:12
If you are in Christ, these promises are not only a source of joy. They are also the foundations of true courage. You are guaranteed that your sins will be filtered through and hidden in the sacrifice of Jesus. When God looks at you, he sees the One who surrounds you. That means that failure is not a concern for you. Your victory is secure.
Picture it this way. Imagine you are an ice skater in competition. You are in first place with one more round to go. If you perform well, the trophy is yours. You are nervous, anxious, and frightened.
Then, only minutes before your performance, your trainer rushes to you with the thrilling news: “You’ve already won! The judges tabulated the scores, and the person in second place can’t catch you. You are too far ahead.”
Upon hearing that news, how will you feel? Exhilarated! And how will you skate? Timidly? Cautiously? Of course not. How about courageously and confidently? You bet you will. You will do your best because the prize is yours. You will skate like a champion because that is what you are! You will hear the applause of victory.
Hence, these words from Hebrews:
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings. — 10:19, 22, emphasis added
The truth will triumph. The Father of truth will win, and the followers of truth will be saved.
Earthly fears are no fears at all when you are focused on your heavenly Father.
The Heart of the Matter
- Following Jesus at times can feel scary, intimidating, and unsettling.
- All truth will be revealed. What was in the dark will be brought into the light.
- We will be judged through Jesus Christ, so we have no reason to be afraid.
- “Do not be afraid.” These words Jesus spoke to His disciples He speaks to us today.
Memory Verse
Your memory verse is Deuteronomy 31:6. Take a few moments to review this verse, and then write it out from memory.
After God’s Own Heart
In our world, there is no shortage of reasons to fear. Job insecurity, health scares, children going down a path you didn’t expect. And if there aren’t enough fears in your own life, just hop on the internet. There you will be flooded with hundreds more reasons to feel afraid of the world you live in and where it is headed.
You need the comforting words Jesus spoke to His disciples: “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid, for He is with you. Do not be afraid, for He hears you. Do not be afraid, for He sees you. Do not be afraid, for He forgives you.
In the same way you would assure a child who is afraid of monsters under the bed, God assures you when it comes to your fears. What you are afraid of is no match for His strength, power, and wisdom. You are in Christ, and because you are in Christ, you are safe.
Excerpted with permission from Seeking After the Heart of God for 52 Weeks by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado.
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Your Turn
Don’t be afraid! When you are in Christ, you have nothing to fear! You can walk in full confidence to the throne of grace because when God sees you, He sees His beloved Son who paid your price! ~ Devotionals Daily