Louise Gevers

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31

When we think of the many verses throughout the Bible that begin with, “Do not be afraid …”, we know that there isn’t a situation that a believer can be in that he or she can’t find encouragement, comfort and strength from God’s Word. There is something powerful and affirming in each verse because it’s inspired by the Holy Spirit and is made alive by Him.

Had Mary been able to look into the future to Romans 8:28 she may not have needed the angel’s “Do not be afraid”, because she would have already known “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”, besides, maybe she already knew, “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) and the outcome in her would have been the same.

For Mary, the fears could have been many. She was young and betrothed and would have had many questions to answer over time, not to mention the customary fears that any young, expectant mother faces. She may have even been terrified of the angel, but Mary responded with faith and joy. She had found favour with God and she trusted His goodness; He would carry her through the long road ahead.

Her response was a song of praise that exalts Him for caring about her lowly position and joyfully acknowledges that He has blessed and honoured her. And then she praises Him because He is great and “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation” and because He “has lifted up the humble… filled the hungry with good things … has sent the rich away empty‘’ and has kept His promises to Israel. (Luke 1:46-55) Mary focuses on all the good and great attributes of God. Even though she was so young and had a very challenging road ahead of her, her high view of God took away any fear.

It is the same for everyone who trusts in God. It’s not what happens in our lives that matters, but the fact that God is with us each step of the way.  We have the choice to look to Him in His magnificence and praise Him, like Mary did, or focus on the things that cause us anxiety and live in fear. Mary travelled pregnant, by donkey, to Bethlehem and safely gave birth to Jesus in a stable before having to flee to Egypt to escape King Herod killing Him.

How great is God? What are our fears?

“There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear.” (1 John 4:18)

Prayer:  Father, I know that You are love and there is never need for me to fear. Help me to remember that nothing that can separate me from Your love in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.