Gedaliah took an oath to reassure them and their men. “Do not be afraid of the Babylonian officials,” he said. “Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.”
2 Kings 25:24 NIV
Fear often comes from the unknown, things that are new and things we didn’t see coming. When things take us by surprise, it’s easy to get pretty nervous. In Judah, the people had been told by the prophets that if they didn’t begin to follow God’s commands, they would be in trouble. They were worshipping false idols, and the penalty was exile. It happened, just like God said it would, and Babylon took Judah into exile. This was something to be afraid about, they were just conquered, but we find the same words spoken again, do not be afraid.
God was not done with Judah, He still had a plan but the people needed to be reminded that they had a responsibility. God was planning to use them to bless the entire world, the Messiah would be born from Judah and salvation would come through the line of David. God was preparing His people for something amazing, but they had to go through the exile first. God was using this time to get things ready for what was to come.
The unknown often comes and makes us afraid. Things that seem bad or hard or scary happen, but remember that we are told that we don’t need to fear. God is using that to prepare us for the next stage of the journey. When things are tight or hard or dark it’s just a matter of time until we will be restored. We continue to move forward and trust in Christ. Even when things seem the worst, they are coming together for our best. Everything in our lives, the good and bad times come together to make us more like Christ. As we suffer or have triumph, God is working in our lives. Remember, do not be afraid because He will never leave or forsake you. You are in His hands. What is God preparing you for today?
J Dan Barnes is a writer and wildlife expert. As well as a director of The Revolution Inversion, a ministry designed to help people get the word of God in their places of work and school.
Defying Shadows 