Fear not
Don’t fear, but be strong. ~ Zechariah 8:13b (CEB)
Paul said to his fellow travelers: ... I belong to God, and I worship him. Last night he sent an angel to tell me, “Paul, don’t be afraid! You will stand trial before the Emperor. And because of you, God will save the lives of everyone on the ship.” ~ Acts 27:23-24 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Don't be afraid. God has our backs.
PRAYER:
Lord, I'm always so taken by the amazing way that you protect your people in the biblical stories. I believe that you protect your people -- except when I don't believe. I get so caught up in the drama that I forget that you are there taking care of us. Help me to trust you in those intense moments where I let fear take over. You are trustworthy. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
