Deuteronomy 7:18, 21 Thou shalt not be afraid of them; but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt….Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
The command and promise, “Fear not,” is repeated many times in Scriptures, often when an angel appears. Fear is a basic human emotion, which shows itself in everything from panic to worry. The response of God’s people of faith is to not be afraid in the face of the enemy.
Two powerful reasons are listed as incentives to respond to threatening situations with fearlessness and courage: one has to do with the past, the other with the present. First, you will not be afraid when you remember what God did to Pharaoh and Egypt. Second, you will not be affrighted because the Lord is among you in the present.
So we remember what Christ did for us in His death and resurrection, completely destroying the power of our real enemies, Sin, Death, and the Devil. Therefore we will not fear. Then we call to mind Jesus’ promise: “Lo, I am with you always.” The Gospel not only covers us in the past and the present, but also clearly in the future, defeating death and granting life. All three tenses affect the present moment, the impending crisis, the imminent threat: we will not be affrighted. We are powerfully saved by faith in amazing grace, and we overwhelmingly conquer the Enemy in our Baptism. We are strengthened in our courage by repeatedly hearing the Gospel, daily remembering our Baptism, and frequently taking Communion.
Fear and worry is transformed into trust and courage. Fear of enemies who would destroy is turned into fear, love, and trust in God who saves. “Fear not them which kill the body.” “Whom shall we fear? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Faith applies the power of God to any problem in life, and He always overcomes.