Time and time again, the Lord has tenderly spoken these reassuring words to His people: "Do not fear." Yet how prone we are to live our days, like frightened lambs, in fear and anxiety.

Why are we fearful? Could it be that we see God as a reluctant giver?

Jesus tenderly corrected this distortion when He said, "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Lk. 12:32). When Jesus said, "Do not fear," He implied that fear is needless because we can trust our Father's care.

Not too long ago, I was stewing about several personal concerns while driving my car. Suddenly the words "Do not fear!" broke into my troubled mind. As my car ate up the miles, God's loving rebuke ate up my doubts, and I prayed, "Lord, when You said, 'Do not fear,' You really meant it! You want me to take You seriously, and that means trusting the Father's eagerness to look after me and my needs."

Jesus said that our heavenly Father knows what we need, and if we seek His kingdom first His provisions will be ours (vv.30-31). We can trust Him. He meant what He said.  — Joanie Yoder