Fear not… the Lord has done great things!

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!. Joel 2:21

In a promise that a land that had once been laid waste by a locust scourge would blossom anew with abundant provision of food, there is this command to “fear not”. Yet fear would be the first natural response. There had been famine: Fear not! There had been failure in all the farms of a nation: Fear not! There was extreme hardship: Fear not! There was real suffering: Fear not!

Why this command in the face of pain? Because the promises of God are certain. They are greater than any pain. He will take care of His people. God will honor His promises. His Word will succeed. His care will prevail. He has done great things!

It is a great, loving, and powerful God Who calls and empowers us to “fear not”, to be glad and rejoice in His goodness, and to remember that He does great things. He always has done great things. He always does so even now. God always will do great things for those He has rescued from sin and called His own.

Lord,

I will rejoice, be glad in You and reject fear. Although there have been real seasons where my life has been stripped bare by what the locusts have devoured, You have been faithful to sustain and restore. I never lost it all. You do great things! The pastures grew back green, the tree now bears fruit, and the vines yield wine in abundance. You are great in saving me and all those who trust Christ. You, Lord Jesus, are my sustaining vine now and forever! Amen