Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

When I was in my late thirties I started waking up early every day. We were living in town back then, so I decided to get up and walk/jog. I was up anyway, and it was nice and quiet out at that time. It gave me time to think and to pray while I got some exercise. The first morning I was out, I was walking down a street in my neighborhood, deep in thought, when all of a sudden I heard a ferocious barking. I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipped a beat, and my eyes strained in the darkness to see this beast that was surely going to take a big bite out of me. It took me a few seconds to realize that this was the house where they kept their dog tied out in the front yard. Assured that he was securely tied, I continued on, my fear subsided. Day after day I walked past in the darkness and the dog sounded the alarm. Then one morning I walked past that house and there was no barking. Now I was afraid all over again. Was the dog loose, lying in wait in the shadows, ready to pounce on me for having taunted it all those mornings, walking by just out of his reach?

Fear is a funny thing. It is often irrational, yet it can take over your life in an instant. Your heart races, you break out in a cold sweat, your mouth goes dry. Fear seizes control of your entire being. It comes in so many forms: Fear of old age, fear of being alone, fear of losing a job, fear of disease, fear of heights, fear of death. Fear can be a terrible, even crippling thing for some people.

All too often, fear becomes the guiding force in the lives of people. Fear dictates their decision-making more than God’s Word and His promises. How many times has your fear of what others might think led you to do something that you know is wrong? It all goes back to sin. Fear is the result of sin, just as it was in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve had sinned, when God came looking for the beloved crown of His creation, they were hiding. When asked why, Adam replied “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid … so I hid.” (Genesis 3:10).  Scripture gives us plenty of other examples of people letting fear influence their decisions.

• Abraham’s fear led him to lie about Sarah being his wife
• Moses was afraid after he killed the Egyptian
• Samuel was afraid to tell Eli of the vision God had given him.
• Isaiah felt fear in the presence of God
• Jeremiah was afraid when called to be a prophet
• The disciples were afraid in a storm with Jesus sleeping in the boat

Fear is a result of sin. Some people will defiantly proclaim, “I’m not afraid of anything. Don’t mess with me!” But we all have our fears. Most people are afraid when they should not be and not afraid when they should be. People will fear men, fear animals, fear the world, fear situations, but they will not fear GOD! That is the fear you should have:

The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread (Isaiah 8:13)

If you have the fear of God in your life, recognizing Him as the one in control, respecting Him as your God. knowing that He loved you, became your Redeemer, and was sacrificed for your sins … if you have that fear, Jesus is speaking to you when He says, “Have no fear, little flock.” You do not need to fear anything else. Christians can have no fear if you have the right fear!

The Psalmist reminds us The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; (Psalm 111:10) We respect Him and with awe recognize who He is, what He has done, the love He has shown. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. You do not need to fear because the one who is in control of everything has given you His kingdom. You Rule with Him. It is not just something for the future, but yours now.

Sometimes people describe their fears saying, “It scared me to death!” Jesus tells you that instead of being scared to death you should remember that He loved you to death. Have no fear, little flock. God can help you overcome your fears because He has overcome the problem of sin. All your sin was placed on Jesus Christ, and He carried it to the cross in your place. Not only did He pay for your sins with His death, but He rose again to assure you that you have the Kingdom. He loved you to death and keeps on loving you. You have been given the kingdom. Have no fear, little flock.