Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
I’ll bet I have that song in your head now.
If you try to find this specific passage in Scripture, you’ll go on a wild goose chase. It’s actually a combination of several verses, with most of it is captured in an Old Testament reading from Deuteronomy.
“Then Moses summoned Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers…It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.””
In the wake of the Coronovirus pandemic, and frankly anytime we’re prone to worry, it’s essential to remind ourselves of the reason for our faith. God holds us in His love regardless of what happens, and won’t fail or forsake us.
And the Divine Physician tells us no less than 365 times in the Bible to, “Be not afraid,” and “Fear not.” It’s almost like we need to be reminded of it each and every day of the year.
Let’s Pray. Father of Grace and Mercy. Help us be strong and of good courage. Grant us the grace each day to not be afraid. Let us rest in the hope that you go before us always, and that by following you, you will give us rest. Amen.