Be Not Afraid

By Rev Irving C. Tomlinson, 1905

Jesus has one message for us that should always ring in our ears, and that message is, "Be not afraid." When we, like the disciples, seem to find ourselves in the troubled waters of mortal mind, and foolish fears take possession of us, Christ walks over the wave and in a voice full of love exclaims, "Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid." This has ever been the voice of God to His children. The Psalmist said, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Here should we take our stand. Is not God infinite Love and is He not all-powerful? We have only to be still, only to "wait on the Lord," and His power will strengthen and restore.

Fear belongs not to the children of God; it is the offspring of mortal mind; it is of dreamland, and without substance or reality. It was Adam who, in the presence of God, exclaimed, "I heard thy voice . . . and I was afraid." A true child of God, in the presence of his heavenly Father, hears the blessed message, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Daniel is the type of the true Christian Scientist. In the presence of lions he turned his back upon them, and his face toward the light. So may we calmly turn our backs upon error of every form and turn our faces toward the heavenly light of Love divine. Then we shall hear from on high that sweet message which came to Daniel, "O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong,"

Would we escape from fear? Would we utterly destroy it, so that we can live above it, as the mountain rises above the mists? Then let us reflect immortal Love, for where Love is, there fear is not. As the beloved apostle has said. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment." Love is the eternal sunshine in whose presence there is living light, for God is light and in Him is "no darkness at all."

This verse from the Christian Science Hymnal is always helpful,—

In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?