One night, the Lord said to Paul in a vision: «Don’t be afraid; keep announcing the message and don’t shut up.» Acts 18: 9.
Fear, that silent enemy who does not respect anyone; that human emotion that God wants to rid us of through trust in him. Even the people we perceive as great brave have once felt fear. People like, for example, the apostle Paul.
Who would have thought that Paul was afraid, since the New Testament projects him as a brave and frontal man? It was certainly this, but he also felt the other at times. For example, in the experience narrated in Acts chapter 18.
Paul had left Athens, where very few had accepted Jesus Christ, and had headed for Corinth, a prosperous and powerful city. There the Jews opposed him and insulted him (see Acts 18: 6). «One night, the Lord said to Paul in a vision:» Do not be afraid; keep announcing the message and do not be silent. For I am with you and no one can touch you to harm you «» (verses 9-10). According to the Adventist Biblical Commentary, where we read «fear not,» the original says, «» fear no more. These words imply that at that time Paul was experiencing some fear and depression, and the burden of the task he was trying to do for his Lord was heavy. (…) Without a doubt, Pablo was in danger of physical harm. He had already seen how the offensive words of the Jews were transformed into physical violence, and this could easily happen again. The Lord tenderly addressed Paul with the words «fear not» «(vol. 6, pp. 358-359).
Dear friend, (Are you experiencing any fear and depression at this time? Do you feel the burden too heavy? Are you in danger because of your beliefs and staying true to your conscience? The Lord, tenderly, says to you:
«Do not worry». And it reminds you insistently in the Bible:
«Do not be afraid, because I am with you; fear not, for I am your God. I give you strength, I help you, I support you with my victorious hand «(Isa. 41:10).
«God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment» (2 Tim. 1: 7).
«The Lord is with me; I’m not afraid. What can man do to me? (Ps. 118.6)
«Fear of men is a trap, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be protected» (Prov. 29:25).
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Women’s 2020
«One Day at a Time»
From: Patricia Muñoz Bertozzi
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Alejandra Zavala
