26 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
“All is vanity but to love God and serve Him.” Thomas a Kempis
In our verses for today, Jesus’ followers are told to faithfully acknowledge Him before men without fearing those who only possess the ability to kill the body yet not the soul. Rather, we are to fear the One Who controls both. One day His light will expose all darkness – there will be no avoidance of His deep and perfectly penetrating eye. Wisdom will always be demonstrated true by her actions. It will never prove substandard to hold to God’s standard – either now or eternally. Who has ever out-given God? Believers have been entrusted to carry forth the Gospel – the secret things of God - and are to be proved faithful with that trust. I am reminded of Pauls’ words to the Corinthians:
1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1 Cor 4:1-5 (NIV)
“Let Christ’s ministers faithfully reveal His truths, and then leave it to Him, in due time to reveal their integrity.” Matthew Henry
“The most brilliant way to live is to always look for the light.” Ann Voskamp
Of course, it is easier to state not to be fearful or worried regarding our witness than to flesh it out - especially coming from one who is a chronic pleaser and basically a chicken at heart! Yet Scripture calls us to this standard – we are not to be anxious about anything – an all-encompassing word by the way. Paul gives us both the admonition not to worry and the antidote to combat it in Philippians:
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)
“There is never a fear that has not a corresponding ‘Fear not.’” Amy Carmichael
“The only fear a Christian should entertain is the fear of sin. All other fears are from Satan sent to confuse and weaken us. How often the Lord reiterated to His disciples, ‘Be not afraid!’” Isobel Kuhn
In light of this, Jesus also reassures us today of His love and faithfulness by reminding us of the tender compassion our God has for even the smallest sparrow and how much more so for His children. God’s providence extends itself to all creatures and all their actions – even the smallest and the minutest. Nothing is shut out from Divine care. Our days are all written in His book before one of them came to be and while we are not to be foolishly placing ourselves in harm’s way, we will not be taken from this earth one moment before God has completed His plans for us here. Our times are in His hands. I am reminded of God’s Word in Isaiah:
8 “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)