Do Not Be Afraid—The God of Moses, David, and Jesus Is With You

From the burning bush to the psalms to Jesus’ promise, God’s presence gives us confidence, guidance, and hope.

In Exodus chapter 3, we find Moses in Midian tending the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro. Earlier, Moses had fled Egypt, fearing the wrath of the Egyptian king who had threatened to kill him after it was discovered that he had killed an Egyptian official. While in the wilderness tending the flocks, he noticed something strange. He saw a bush on fire, but it did not burn up. He went over to look, and God called him, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And he answered, ‘Here I am.’ -Exodus 3:4.

God then told Moses not to approach any closer and instructed him to remove his sandals, for ‘the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then God goes ahead and introduces Himself, saying, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’- Exodus 3:6. He told Moses that He was concerned about the sufferings of His people under the hands of the Egyptians. He reveals His plans of rescuing the Israelites to Moses.

He then sends Moses on a mission, saying, ‘So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.’ Moses’ hesitation expressed his own fears concerning God’s plan to rescue His people from the hands of the Egyptians. He said, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ God responded with comforting words, ‘I will be with you.’

God called Moses out of his comfort zone, and for a little while, he showed hesitation. Often, we find ourselves in a similar situation to Moses’. When we are pulled out of our comfort zone, it can be challenging to let go of our comfort. To partake in God’s grand plan requires our complete trust in Him. Sometimes we allow fear and doubt to stop us from accepting the assignment which God intends for us to do.

Considering Moses’ situation, back in Egypt, he was a wanted man for killing an Egyptian. He also felt like he wasn’t the right person for the job. But God reassured him that he wouldn’t go alone; God’s presence would be with him. It is a reminder that success does not come from our own strength but from the presence of God. So often, we worry ourselves with questions of ‘How? Who? Where? And what?’, and yet we forget that what God really want from us is our dependence on Him.

God promises that His presence will be with us no matter the kind of trials or challenges we face. Just as He told Moses, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’ … ‘I will be with you.’ God is saying the same to us. To that person who is not sure of tomorrow, to that person who just walked into unfamiliar territories of motherhood, marriage or a new relationship or in ministry. And if you feel lost or alone and you wonder where God is in all this chaos, here’s what He said even before your life took a turn, ‘I will be with you.’ You are not alone; you are not fighting your battles alone. God is with you. That is his promise. He was faithful to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and He’ll be faithful to you too; trust in God’s plan.

In Psalm 27, David begins by declaring that ‘The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?’ Indeed, David had his own battles to fight; he had enemies who wanted him dead, and yet, in the midst of all this chaos, he boldly declares with confidence that the LORD is his light and salvation and stronghold; he had no reason to fear. David understood that the LORD was on his side. He was not alone; he was under the protection of God.

And even when he feels surrounded and rejected, he still has that confidence in the LORD as he declares, ‘Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear.’ And in verse 10, ‘Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.’ This is a reminder and also an encouragement to each one of us that whenever we feel like we are surrounded by challenges, we can confidently declare that ‘The LORD is my light, my salvation and my defender; whom shall I fear?’ and perhaps you are facing rejection from even people who are closest to you, be not afraid, the LORD’s arms are open wide to receive you.

Instead of worrying and being fearful, lift your eyes to God and declare with confidence that ‘I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.’ As David declared during his time of trouble. You may be on the verge of quitting, but we are encouraged to wait patiently for the LORD He will never fail us. David reminds us again in verse 14, ‘Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.’

Jesus begins John chapter 14 with words of comfort and hope, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.’ Perhaps your present circumstances look very troubling, and you don’t know where to turn to. Jesus reminds us to turn to Him, rather than looking at our present circumstances and being troubled by them; we should look to Jesus and believe in Him that all things are possible to God.

Jesus reassures us that He’s going to prepare a place for us in Heaven. His words of hope strengthen our trust in God even during our troubling moments in life. In Christ Jesus, we can completely rely on. He affirms, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:6.

God’s plans are exciting and sometimes unexpected. As we continue to follow through God’s plan through trust, humility and obedience, we are reminded of the power in prayers in John 14:13, ‘I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’ God’s presence comes along with confidence. Confidence to walk through the valley without being afraid, guidance to light our path through God’s word, and hope for eternal life. When the God of Moses, David and Jesus is with you, whom shall you fear?