“The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”” – Zephaniah 3:15-17

~~~~~

Fear Not
By Jennifer Kane

The Lord has lifted the weight, the enemy’s gone,
He stands beside you, the King, strong and bold.
He whispers, “Fear not, my child, your fear is withdrawn,
For I am with you, a warrior, a story to be told.”

But a tremor remains, a flicker of doubt,
“Just a little fear, Lord, is that not allowed?”
The voice calls again, clear and loud,
“No, fear not, my child, be free, unbound.”

The breath catches, the heart pounds a frantic beat,
“But my fear is a blanket, a warmth in the cold,
It’s the tremor that tells me the danger is bold,
A warning, a whisper, the story incomplete.”

The voice now commands, firm and strong,
“Tie a knot tight, around unbelief’s throat,
No mercy to fear, for your fear is a boat
Which sinks in the waters where my love’s song belongs.”

Fear not today, nor tomorrow, nor ever again,
When fear comes knocking, drive it away,
Give it no welcome, no place to stay,
For God sings a song, a love that will reign.

His love is a haven, a refuge from fear,
So let your heart sing, and let your soul soar,
For God is with you, now and evermore,
And fear has no place, when love draws near.

~~~~~

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:15-17

In Zephaniah 3:15-17, we see an incredible picture of God’s love, power, and protection over His people. These verses declare freedom from fear and punishment. The enemy has been defeated, and God, the Mighty Warrior, is present with His people. This echoes the promise in Isaiah 41:10, where God says, “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.”

How often do we allow fear to creep into our hearts, even when we know these truths? Sometimes, like the people of Israel, we let our hands hang limp, paralyzed by fear, even though God is right there, ready to fight for us (Exodus 14:14).

In the poem, we hear the echo of God’s voice calling us to let go of fear, to trust Him fully, and to remember that fear has no place in a heart filled with His love. 1 John 4:18 reminds us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Fear often disguises itself as a warning signal we believe will protect us from danger. Yet, God commands us to “fear not” and assures us that He is our protector. As Romans 8:31 declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” His love is our anchor, and His power sustains us through life’s uncertainties.

To truly live without fear means to trust God’s promises wholeheartedly. Zephaniah reminds us that the Lord has already turned back our enemy. We see this same truth in Joshua 1:9, where God says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

When fear comes knocking, we are invited to remember God’s song over us—a song of love, protection, and joy. Psalm 34:4 encourages us, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” This is the truth we must hold onto: God rejoices over us with singing, driving out every fear.

Are there areas in your life where fear still holds power over you? Do you find yourself relying on your own strength or the tremor of fear rather than on God’s mighty hand?

Take time to reflect on what you’re afraid of. Bring those fears before God. Remember that He is with you, a mighty warrior who saves (Zephaniah 3:17), and He will never leave or forsake you. Write down a prayer asking God to help you release those fears and replace them with trust in His love and protection.

Fear will always try to find a foothold in our lives, but God’s love and His constant presence are more than enough to cast it out. When fear creeps in, remember Zephaniah 3:17 and the truth of His rejoicing song over you. You are loved, protected, and victorious in Him.

Let this truth take root in your heart today: Fear not, for the Mighty Warrior is with you.

~~~~~

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being my Mighty Warrior, the One who saves and fights on my behalf. I am in awe of Your love that casts out fear and Your joy that overflows into songs over me. Lord, I confess that there are times when I let fear linger in my heart, allowing it to paralyze me and keep me from trusting fully in You.

Forgive me for holding onto fear instead of clinging to Your promises. Help me to release my doubts and rest in the truth that You are with me always, delighting in me and protecting me. When fear tries to creep in, remind me that Your love is perfect, Your presence is constant, and Your power is unmatched. Thank You for being my refuge and my strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Savior and my King. Amen.

January 4 2024