Be not Afraid by J. O. Corliss

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 12, 1903

“Be not Afraid”

By J. O. Corliss

J. O. CORLISS

THE night was dark and stormy. The disciples were struggling hard to row their boat to land over the crests of angry waves, but without success. They were evidently well-nigh exhausted by their efforts, and about ready to let their craft drive before the blast, when their eyes caught sight of an object which nearly paralyzed them with fear. So highly were their nerves wrought upon, indeed, by the sight of what they supposed a wicked spirit, that they cried out in distress.

But the object they beheld was the Lord Jesus himself, coming to their assistance, walking on the water. Seeing the plight of the disciples, he spoke to them in familiar tones: “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” At this the disciples were no longer fearful, but were glad to receive their Lord into the boat where they were. Mark 6: 48-51.

How many times this experience or a similar one is lived over in this age of the world. When the Lord is near, and for the very purpose of helping, men forget his power and willingness to support them, and so are fearful for the future. Their fear, too, often brings torment to them, because most men are naturally cowards. Nothing has ever come into their lives to take the place of the fears of childhood. Many little ones are so fearful of meeting adverse circumstances that they can not be induced to stay alone in the darkness, to say nothing of being asked to go on an important errand alone amid the shades of night, at which some tremble from head to foot, and even cry out for fear.

It is the continuation of this fear in men which makes them hesitate to walk in the path of duty which the Word of God reveals. Some tremble under the cross, fearing they will want some good thing, which will be denied them. Others feel afraid of what their many acquaintances will say or do against them. To the first class of fearful ones the Lord says: “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what

ye shall put on. . . . Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:25-33. To the second class, he says: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. . . . Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing [one half of a cent]? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. . . . Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 10: 28-32.

So while “fear hath torment,” “perfect love casteth out fear.” 1 John 4:18. Faith in God’s care and love for us, as it begets true love and confiding trust in us. Verse 19. It matters not to us then whether we are in the light of day or in the darkness of night, because we know that he “ever liveth to make intercession” for us. Heb. 7:25. This thought is so well illustrated by the simply expressed faith of a certain little girl that we can not forbear mentioning it. As is natural with children, she was a little afraid in the dark. But when the lights of the house were extinguished, she, looking out, saw the moon, and asked her mother if that was God’s light. Upon being answered in the affirmative, she asked: “Will God blow out his light, and go to sleep, too?” “No, child,” replied the mother, “God’s lights are always burning.” “Well, then,” said the simple-hearted child, “while God’s awake, I’m not afraid.”

Childlike as this may seem, there is a thread of simple, yet strong faith in it that many older people would do well to possess.