Luke 12:4-12 (NRSV)
Read Luke 12:4-12 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. Verse 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Verse 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. Verse 7But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Verse 8"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; Verse 9but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. Verse 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Verse 11When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; Verse 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say."
Devotion
Fear is as much a part of life as wet is a part of water. Jesus does not deny the reality of our fears. Rather, the Lord redirects our fears. Do not fear the little things, he says, those temporary shadows whose very existence is governed by the Light. Rather, fear God, the only genuine reality. And then Jesus surprises: Do not fear God, for God cares so much about you that even your freckles are precious in his sight.
Prayer
Beautiful Savior, teach us to fear, love and trust you above all things. And in your love, drive out all our fears. Amen.