Today’s Reading:
Matthew 10:24-33
"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" (v. 26)
People living in the world or on earth today are full of fear because the world is a fearful place - fear of the unknown and uncertainty. Fear of losing jobs, fear of accident, fear of armed robbers, fear of childlessness or even death. In Nigeria today people are afraid of travelling on a long journey due to attacks from bandits or Fulani herdsmen, kidnapping and unplanned violence in any state. Afraid means feeling of fear or anxiety, frightened. Worried that something undesirable might occur or be done. God told Abram in Genesis 15:1, “Do not be afraid, I am your shield, your very great reward!” At the Red Sea Moses told Israel, “Do not be afraid. You will never see these Egyptians again” (Exodus 14:13). When Moses died, God said to Joshua “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:8-9). God spoke to His people through Isaiah, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Now as Jesus sends his disciples out with the Gospel that the Messiah has come and is the fulfilment of all God had promised, Jesus says it again. “Do not be afraid of them.”
The disciples were about to proclaim Christ to some people who were content with the Old Testament and their old ways that they did not want a Savior. And they were going to face some people who wanted a Savior, who would be a revolutionary to drive out the Romans. They were going to face some people who wanted to live as they pleased. They were going to face opposition, anger, hatred, threats and later would face authorities, punishment, and death for sharing the gospel. To them, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid!” For the people of God living in a sinful world, it will always be a battle against forces in the world. As disciples or students, we are not our own. We are not here to do our own thing. We are not called to proclaim our own message. We are called to hear, follow, and obey Christ our Teacher. If we consider ourselves disciples and servants of Christ, we must take all He says seriously and hold it at the truth. We must realize that when people reject our message, they are not rejecting us but Christ (Luke 10:16). Do not be afraid of what people in the world say, or what they threaten, or what you worry they may do. You have something much more powerful and much greater: Christ himself. In him, you have pardon for your sins. In him, you have the power to overcome sin and fear and live a holy life. In him, you also have the promise and hope of eternal life.
When you give your life to Jesus Christ you are already right with God. God already makes you his righteous child because of what Jesus did for you. When you hold on to that grace in Christ, you have nothing to be afraid of, even when the opposition to Christ and his people is at its worst, there really little that human beings can do Psalm 56:4. Not for eternity, James and Stephen and Paul and all the other apostles knew that death is the gateway to eternal life and if they lost their lives because of sharing the word of Christ, they would not lose Christ and would not lose eternal life.
In Conclusion, do not be afraid of them. You are of great value to your Savior Jesus Christ because He bought you with His own blood.
OLAJIDE OGUNFUWA
Prayers:
I worship and adore You, my Father, for with You all things are possible. I confess that by myself I can do nothing, help me Lord, in Jesus’ name.
Father, help me to keep my focus permanently on You, on what You are capable of doing, and not on the storms raging around me to bring fear in my life, in Jesus’ name.
Father, uproot from my life, anything that does not represent Your image and likeness, that is hindering my fruitfulness, in Jesus’ name.
Father bless all the Christian leaders and release upon them fresh oil and greater unction to perform very well in the offices you have placed them, in Jesus’ name Amen.
Father, remember all nations of the world today, especially our nation Nigeria, and put an end to anything of shame and reproach, in Jesus’ name.
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