Advent at Ararat 2024 - Day 18: Do not fear! There’s good news!

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

On that glorious night in Bethlehem, the news to the shepherds that the Savior has been born, begins with some of the most needed words anyone will ever hear: “Do not be afraid.”

We are living in the Last Days before the coming of Jesus Christ. Everyday we see the fulfilling of prophecies concerning how this time would be characterized:

““And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Fear churns in the hearts of men as we see our way of life collapsing under the weight of lawlessness, and worse, the scourge of faithlessness. Yes, the angel’s instruction to those shepherds, also speaks to our troubled souls.

Beyond this announcement by the angel on that Holy Night, the instruction to not fear, is ubiquitous in the Old Testament, as well as from those speaking after, as recorded throughout the New Testament. Indeed, our Lord gives this same assurance:

““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭35‬-‭36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Now, what did the angel offer as the reason not to fear? The “good tidings of great joy . . . to all people.” Friend, we need a Savior and we have one!

As well, we also have the promise that these times of great fear will be abruptly ended for us when the Lord says, “Come up here!” And—in the meantime—the Lord can bring peace in our inner being, now!

For today let us mediate on the fact that an important part of preparing for the celebration of the Lord‘s birth and His Second Coming, is to remind ourselves that although it looks as though things are spinning out of control, they’re actually propelling us toward the ultimate rescue mission!

Again, the Lord has promised to sustain us even in the midst of trouble. But make no mistake, just as the darkness was abruptly illuminated by a heavenly host on that Holy Night, just so, Christ will soon interrupt the darkness of this present world with His glorious appearing.

Now that’s good news! Therefore, do not fear!

Peace to you!

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!