Be Not Afraid

 

Be Not Afraid

Adapted from an article by Dr. Lisa Hancock, UMC Discipleship Ministries 

"Jesus said to them: 'Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.’ Mark 13:1-8 (NIV)  

When I hear the word “apocalypse,” I often remember disaster movies. These stories are filled with destruction, creating an almost overwhelming sense of doom. And sometimes, when I read texts like Mark 13, the apocalyptic language evokes that feeling. Jesus speaks of the temple being destroyed and of “wars and rumors of wars”—it’s intense! But what if Jesus’ intention wasn’t to scare His followers but rather to reassure them?

Jesus knew His disciples were in awe of the temple’s beauty and strength, yet He wanted them to look beyond what they could see and place their faith in something even more significant. Earthly structures may crumble, Jesus tells them, but God’s presence remains steadfast. This message is for us today, too. When the world feels unstable—when we see political unrest, natural disasters, or personal hardship—we don’t need to let fear take hold. Instead, we can root ourselves in the truth that God is with us, even amid chaos.

Our worship is one way to remind ourselves and each other of this truth. By reciting a statement of faith, praying for those suffering, or singing songs of God’s faithfulness, we declare together that we trust God’s presence and promises. Worship becomes a powerful act of truth-telling, allowing us to face the world’s uncertainty with courage.

As we go about our week, let’s choose words that uplift, stand up for what’s right, and show up for each other. May we face our fears with faith, knowing that God is creating something new, even through difficult times. This is not the end—God’s love endures, and so can we.

PRAYER:
Loving God reminds us that You are with us when we are tempted to let fear take over. Help us speak and live Your truth courageously. May our worship and our words bring hope to a fearful world. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We can trust that God is our steady foundation in times of fear and uncertainty.

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