“O Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:2–3, NRSV)

You may have heard the claim that there are 365 references in the Bible to “fear not” or “do not be afraid.” However, a check of popular translations does not support this claim or is it a meme? I am not sure where this started or why someone felt the need to exaggerate, but does it really matter? On one hand, we can be grateful that it does appear well over 100 times in Scripture, but if God commands us to “fear not” even once, it should be enough for us.

Did you notice what we said in the last paragraph? When God says, “fear not,” one may receive it as an encouragement or comfort, but it is a command. If we are to take God seriously, it begins by obeying. Before you accuse me of being harsh, let me first remind you of just a few of God’s promises. God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV) Or, “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.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

The simple point is this, when God commands us to not be afraid, it comes with his promise that he will always be with us. When we succumb to fear, it is because we have not fully believed his promises. The favorite old hymn says, “’tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take him at his word, just to rest upon his promise…”

We should look at this current pandemic situation as a school lesson (or perhaps, homeschool lesson?). Please follow along closely. I am not saying that we disregard all instructions, purposely put ourselves or our families in harm’s way, but we must learn that fear and trust are incompatible.

We need to understand that dying is not the worst thing that can happen to us. We can point to declarations like, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” or “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Pay close attention. The fear of death is more debilitating than death itself. “…it’s logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.” (Hebrews 2:14–15, The Message)

I will repeat for emphasis: This is not about social distancing or deciding to wear a mask or not wear a mask, it is about being obedient to the imperative command, “Do not be afraid.” I know of pastors who have defied the edicts, and some have contracted the virus and even died. The wisdom of their actions can be debated, but regardless to not be afraid is better than to be afraid.

As events unfold, we may be faced with the choice of obeying man or obeying God. Thousands of years ago, three young man faced that choice. They trusted God. “If you throw us into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from the furnace. He will save us from your power, O king. But even if God does not save us, we want you, O king, to know this: We will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17–18, NCV)

We may get sick and we may even die. We may suffer for the cause of the gospel and some will even lose their lives for Christ’s sake, but let us gain strength and confidence, courage and power from the One who is our example: “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.” (Hebrews 12:2, The Message)