Fear and the Coming of Immanuel

Do not be afraid.

As a fearful person, I heard these words over and over throughout my life. And when I did, something usually died inside as though I was alone, living in a different dimension from everyone else. Then came an immediate reaction of frustration with the person commanding me not to be afraid. As though fear was irrational. As though they were in charge of the circumstances and could guarantee no need for fear. I knew things were never what they seemed; I had every right to be afraid. As far as I was concerned, fear was the only thing keeping me safe.

But as I eventually found out, it’s one thing to be in the midst of a legitimately terrifying situation; it’s another to be a fearful person. For those of us who have experienced abuse or trauma, fear often defaults to adrenaline-high reactions to any given situation. As time goes on, fear becomes a paralyzing cage that shuts out comfort from others, pushing away the good with the bad because nothing can be trusted anymore.

In the midst of it all, the words “do not be afraid” become nothing more than background static. That is, until my name is connected to the command. Parents, hospital workers, and policemen know the power of using names to calm the fearful in terrifying situations. Suddenly there is relationship – authority even – and with it, a hopeful willingness to listen even if the circumstances remain unchanged.

It is encouraging that the Bible is filled with examples of men and women who struggled with fear. Often I find myself reflecting upon their lives and realize they were also sinners saved by grace who often needed reminders of “do not be afraid”. With Christmas approaching, it’s interesting to read the story of Jesus’ birth and realize His incarnation is actually centered on the fears of humanity – or rather, its solution.

In the years surrounding Jesus’ birth, the nation Israel was in turmoil. Their land was controlled by enemies, their countrymen scattered across the known world. It had been hundreds of years since God had promised a Deliverer. Only a small remnant waited in faith.

But God had not forgotten His promise. At the opportune time, the wheels were set in motion. Which completely terrified those involved.

In Luke 1:26-38, an angel appeared to a young Jewish woman, a pure virgin looking forward to marrying her fiancé of the coveted family line of David. The young bride-to-be heard the puzzling words, “Do not be afraid, Mary,” before her life turned completely upside-down.

Three months later, a bridegroom lay in bed completely devastated by the news that the godly woman he had prayed for, worked for, waited for was carrying the illegitimate child of someone else. But before he could take action, an angel appeared, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid”, and then commanded him to embark on a terrifying journey of faith. (Matthew 1:19-25)

In Luke 2:8-20, the angel appeared to a group of rough tough temple shepherds who watched their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem. When an angel appeared in the night sky and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, their terror was stilled by the angel’s words, “Do not be afraid.”

Do not be afraid.

The words echo from the pages of the Christmas story giving hope to all who read it. Here were real people in complicated – even terrifying – circumstances struck with fear. Anyone looking on could say they had every right to be afraid. A young woman facing alienation from her family and friends, a ruined reputation. A bridegroom facing the responsibility of doing what’s right. Uneducated shepherds with the message of angels. But God enters their circumstances and commands, “Do not be afraid” before delivering a replacement of hope.

To Mary, “[Jesus] will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:32)

To Joseph, “And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)

To the shepherds, “There has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Today, fear remains a common malady of mankind. It constricts our vision to what we can see. But God's message of hope is the same as it was thousands of years ago and continues to point to Immanuel. Through Jesus Christ, enslavement to fear is permanently broken so that even in the most terrifying circumstances, we can still say,

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;

Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Just as it is written, ‘For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)

It isn’t about simply believing there’s nothing to be afraid of. There are a million things to be afraid of as Romans 8:31-39 makes very clear. Rather, it’s about placing our fear in the hands of Jesus Christ who has conquered temptation, suffering, hunger, rejection, torture, even death itself. He has conquered all things in order to redeem His beloved people. 

As 1 John 4:18-19 states, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. 

As thousands of fearful people have discovered, in the face of such love there is no longer room for fear. If we have been regenerated through Jesus Christ, not even death itself can separate us from His love. The incarnation of Jesus – Immanuel, “God with us” – is that perfect love, that beautiful solution to every deepest fear.

Further Resources –

For Personal Study: I have found it a great blessing to read through the Bible and meditate on whenever God says, “Do not be afraid” or “Fear not”. Note also the situation surrounding His words and the beautiful way God draws the fearful individual's focus away from the circumstances and onto Himself.

Bigney, Brad, Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols, P&R Publishing, 2012.

Bloom, Jon, Not By Sight: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Walking By Faith, Crossway, 2013.

Tozer, A. W., The Attributes of God: A Journey into the Father’s Heart, Christian Publications, Inc., 1997.

Welch, Edward T., Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest, New Growth Press, 2007.

Note: All Scripture referenced from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), unless otherwise noted.

Public Domain Photo Credits:
Mother and Baby - Michelle Daigle