“Do Not Be Afraid”: A Biblical Command That Points Us to God’s Sovereignty
For years, a popular Christian saying has circulated: “The phrase ‘Do not be afraid’ appears 365 times in the Bible—one for each day of the year.” It’s a comforting thought, but it’s not actually accurate. While Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to not fear, the exact phrase doesn’t occur that many times. Most careful counts suggest the command “do not be afraid” (and similar phrases like “fear not” or “do not fear”) appears around 100 times, depending on the translation.
Though the number may be less than popularly claimed, the theological weight of this command remains profound. In Reformed theology, every word of Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). So, whether the phrase appears 365 times or 100, its repetition signals divine emphasis. God wants His people to hear this message again and again: Do not be afraid.
A Command Rooted in God’s Character
When God tells us not to be afraid, He isn’t offering shallow reassurance. He grounds this command in His unchanging character and sovereign care.
- In Genesis 15:1, God tells Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” The reason Abram need not fear isn’t found in himself, but in who God is.
- In Joshua 1:9, as Joshua prepares to lead Israel into the Promised Land, God commands, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Each of these commands comes with a theological anchor: God’s presence, power, protection, or promises. In Reformed thought, this reflects the doctrine of God’s sovereignty and providence. We are not told to muster up courage in ourselves, but to rest in the One who reigns over all things.
Fear and Faith: A Heart Issue
The frequent call to “not be afraid” also reveals something about the human heart. Since the fall, fear has been part of our spiritual condition. Adam and Eve hid in fear after sinning (Genesis 3:10). Fear often flows from misplaced trust—looking to ourselves, circumstances, or other people instead of to God.
Reformed theology teaches that faith is a gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). As the Holy Spirit works in our hearts, He shifts our gaze from earthly anxieties to the sovereign Lord. That’s why Jesus repeatedly said to His disciples, “Do not be afraid,” even in the midst of storms (Matthew 14:27), persecution (Luke 12:4–7), and death itself (John 14:1–3).
Obedience to the command “do not be afraid” is not about ignoring reality. It’s about seeing reality through the lens of God’s promises.
Not a Motivational Slogan, but a Gospel Promise
While modern culture often turns “do not be afraid” into a feel-good mantra, Scripture roots it in redemption history. The angel’s announcement to the shepherds at Christ’s birth begins with “Fear not” (Luke 2:10). The angel at the empty tomb says the same (Matthew 28:5). These moments are not about vague comfort—they are about the arrival of God’s salvation in Christ.
Ultimately, the reason believers can live without fear is because Christ has conquered sin and death. As Romans 8:31–32 reminds us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” In Christ, fear no longer has the final word.
A Repeated Command Worth Remembering
Even though “do not be afraid” doesn’t appear exactly 365 times, it is repeated often enough to show us that God knows our tendency to fear—and graciously speaks to it. Each repetition is an invitation to trust His sovereignty, rest in His promises, and walk by faith rather than fear.
In the Reformed tradition, this isn’t just practical advice; it’s a call to worship and trust in the sovereign God. As we read these words throughout Scripture, may we be reminded not of a numerical myth, but of a theological reality:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
— Psalm 27:1
Dawn Zauner 