And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. – Luke 2:10
In a 1913 novel, Pollyanna is a young orphan girl raised by a strict aunt in a dour environment. Seeking to overcome her circumstances, she plays a “glad game,” trying in every situation to find something to be cheerful about. Psychologists later used her story to describe people with an unrealistic positive bias, saying their excessive positivity blinds them toward reality, which may place them in dangerous situations.
Pastor Ray Stedman wrote, “A definition I find most descriptive is that a Christian is one who is: completely fearless, continually cheerful, and constantly in trouble.” The Bible consistently instructs you not to be afraid and to have no fear. The Lord is not asking you to play “glad games” or live in an unrealistic world. Scripture is honest and transparent about earthly suffering and dire circumstances. Rather, God calls you to place your reliance on Him. He is your Strength, your Redeemer, Your Deliverer, your Refuge, your Salvation (Psalm 27:1, 46:1-3, and many more). In their song “Consider the Stars,” Keith and Kristyn Getty declare, “Do not be afraid! He who made all this… holds you in His hands. Do not be afraid!”
Peter directs you to be watchful and alert while reminding you to cast your anxieties on the Lord, resist the wiles of Satan, and endure suffering (1 Peter 5). The Lord will make you strong, and the joy of knowing He is in control will replace your fears. The world needs good news, and the message the angels brought to the shepherds is still true: we have a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. His mercy and kindness are available today, so let the immeasurable gladness of the Lord fill your heart (Psalm 4:7).
Today’s Verse: Luke 2:10
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 118:1-16, 28-29
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation
are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the Lord exalts,
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
