The most common refrain found in scripture is “Do not be afraid.” Some have counted as many as 366 instances of men and women being told this by angels, prophets and the Lord himself. This reveals a couple things. One, fear is a common emotion shared by all of us since the beginning of time. Second, the LORD has determined that part of his role in taking care of his followers is to quell the multiple fears they experience. Fears are part of the human emotional makeup. There is no need for us to be embarrassed by our fears.
This week’s readings lead up to Easter Sunday. Easter concludes our Lenten fast, but more importantly, it is the day that we declare in jubilant worship that Jesus Christ is alive. He is risen from the dead indeed and with the defeat of death, our ultimate fears are laid to rest. We will see in the Resurrection stories that repetitive refrain relating to fear. We will also see an accompanying promise of the Lord’s promise to be with his people. In this Isaiah passage, we are reminded of why the refrain (Do not be afraid) is not an empty phrase. It is a word that flows out of the abiding presence of God. Our fears are put in their place when we consider the overwhelming presence of the living God.
In preparation of the Easter Celebration, take time this week to list your fears and anxieties. Consider the promise of God to be with you, to help you, to strengthen you and to conquer your fears for you.
41 “Be silent before me, you islands!
Let the nations renew their strength!
Let them come forward and speak;
let us meet together at the place of judgment.
2 “Who has stirred up one from the east,
calling him in righteousness to his service?
He hands nations over to him
and subdues kings before him.
He turns them to dust with his sword,
to windblown chaff with his bow.
3 He pursues them and moves on unscathed,
by a path his feet have not traveled before.
4 Who has done this and carried it through,
calling forth the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord—with the first of them
and with the last—I am he.”
5 The islands have seen it and fear;
the ends of the earth tremble.
They approach and come forward;
6 they help each other
and say to their companions, “Be strong!”
7 The metalworker encourages the goldsmith,
and the one who smooths with the hammer
spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, “It is good.”
The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.
8 “But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 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.