Words of Hope Daily Devotional
Fear . . . Not
Read: Luke 2:8-14
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy. (v. 10)
It’s one thing to see a satellite picture on TV of a hurricane swirling around the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a very different thing to watch the sky as dark bands circle overhead casting torrents of rain, feel hurricane-force winds ramming the house, and hear gales tearing amidst trees and screaming through pool enclosures. I recognize I am pitifully weak against the immensity, power, and terror of the storm. It’s much bigger than me.
God is infinitely more immense, more powerful, and more terrifying than any hurricane. Like the shepherds in our reading, I’m sure I would fall down in fear if God or one of his angels revealed themselves to me.
God created us in his image (Gen. 1:26). When we truly seek God to know his character and realize his presence, we become acutely aware of our failures. We aren’t living up to our calling as images of God. We also recognize that God, in his holiness, could cast us away.
But an astounding thing happens when we fall down before God in humble fear, acknowledging who he is and our need for forgiveness—he says, “Fear not.”
The good news of great joy is that Jesus came to this earth to save us. His death on the cross paid the penalty that is due to us. When we accept Jesus’s gift of salvation, we no longer need to fear God’s wrath, but instead, rejoice in God’s presence and experience his peace.
As you pray, fear not, but instead, rejoice in your salvation!
About the Author
Donna M. Harold is retired from a career in accounting and consulting and lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and two cats. She serves as treasurer for her church, creates and facilitates Bible studies, and enjoys writing, mosaicking, and quilting.
- Donna Haroldhttps://www.woh.org/author/donna-harold/
- Donna Haroldhttps://www.woh.org/author/donna-harold/
- Donna Haroldhttps://www.woh.org/author/donna-harold/
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Tropical Depression
Read: Psalm 42 Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (v. 11) With the right conditions, the thunderstorms in a tropical disturbance can organize and start to circulate around a low-pressure center. It’s
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Tropical Disturbance
Read: Philippians 4:2-7 The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (v. 7) An Atlantic hurricane begins as a tropical disturbance, often forming off the coast of Africa. These are
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Lackadaisical
Read: Colossians 1:9-14 Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy . . . (v. 11) Hurricane season in Florida spans June through November. From December through May, there is little
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Storms of Change
Read: Luke 6:46-49 When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. (v. 48) It’s hurricane season in the Atlantic. These massive storms spiral their way across sea
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Is This Heaven?
Read: John 14:1-14 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (v. 2) Arriving at the baseball field, I saw families and
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Looking for a Cure
Read: 2 Kings 5:1-14 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (v. 3) While visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas, I found it fascinating that