FEAR AND REDEMPTION

“We are deeply loved by an all-powerful, all-knowing God.”

Written by Jack Nicodemus | Current WC seventh-grader

Prayer: God, give us wisdom as we read your Word. Amen.

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'” Isaiah 43:1

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Romans 5:10

First, let’s talk about what the word redemption or to be redeemed means. To be redeemed means to be bought back for a price or a clearing of debt like sin. Jesus, when He died on the cross, was our Redeemer.

Isaiah 43:1 talks about the idea of not being afraid because He has redeemed us and how He has called us by our name, and we are His. God commands us to not fear. Did you know there are 365 places in the Bible where it says to “fear not”? He knows that the enemy uses fear against us, but we are deeply loved by an all-powerful, all-knowing God. If we think about His words, it is hard to fear.

Romans 5:10 talks about how when Christ died, we were reconciled with God which means we became friends because Christ died for us while we were still His enemy. Therefore, we no longer have to fear our eternal future because we know it is secure in Him.

If we meditate and stay connected to His Word by reading it daily, this can help us navigate all our fears.

[Editor’s Note: The Philippians 4:8 Project is a daily centering of the WC community’s collective hearts and minds on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”]