Do not be afraid
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. Revelation 1:17
What is going on in your life right now? Are you facing any trials or uphill battles? Chances are the answer is yes and if it isn’t, you can be sure that they are on the horizon. Jesus told us there will always be trouble in the world, but He also said we can take joy in knowing that with Him we can overcome the world.
As we pick up on our reading today continuing with John’s encounter with Jesus on the Lord’s Day. As soon as John saw Jesus, he fell at His feet as dead. I think that means he fainted in fear, but Jesus encouraged him not to be afraid. Just like He told him the night before He went to the cross, He once again reminded John that he didn’t have to be afraid. Isn’t it interesting that as much time as John spent on the earth with Jesus, now seeing Him in all His glory, John realized that Jesus is truly the Son of God. He fell to the ground in great fear and reverence. At this point in John’s meeting with the Lord, Jesus spoke comfort to John. He told John Who He was and the reason for this meeting with Him. It is to write what he has seen so far, what he is seeing now and what he is about to see and hear.
With everything going on in the world today, it can be easy to lose sight of the awesomeness of Who the Lord Jesus is. As we weekly come together and worship in the house of the Lord, many have slipped into a place of coming together out of habit or obligation. The honor and reverence that our Father and Savior deserve from us has been reduced to a check mark on a long list of duties and chores that many believers complete because of the fear of being looked down upon instead of the fear of the LORD. From the description explained in today’s reading, His splendor exceeds anything or anyone in this world. Yet, He doesn’t want us to be afraid, He only wants us to know His love and be connected to Him in a great personal relationship.
Today I want to encourage you to step into a new and healthy dose of the fear of the Lord. Not in a way of being frightened, but in reverence and worship of the One King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the solution to every trouble in your life and in the world too and He desires the closeness of an intimate relationship with all people. Getting to know Him more on a personal level will bring great revelation to your life. Not necessarily of world event but of your own life steps. Worship and honor Him today and begin to write down what He shares with you about your day. It will help you to remember that He is with you every step of the way. If you have never stepped into that personal relationship with Him, you can do that today by praying this prayer from your heart. He will come into your life and lead you to victory in all your struggles all the days of your life.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me a new creation today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 1:17-20
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
The Daily Dose 