Do Not Be Afraid

February 26, 2026

Discouragement often arrives quietly, especially after resistance or misunderstanding.

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.’”
Acts 18:9–10 (ESV)

God does not scold His servants for feeling afraid. He meets them there. In this moment, the Lord speaks with clarity and kindness, addressing fear, calling for perseverance, and grounding courage in His presence.

The assurance given here is not built on visible success. It rests on God’s knowledge of what has not yet been seen. He knows whom He intends to draw to Himself, even when the work feels fragile or opposed. That knowledge does not lead to passivity. It leads to steady endurance.

This passage reminds us that obedience often continues alongside fear, not after fear has disappeared. God does not wait for perfect confidence before calling His people to speak and serve. He promises His presence instead.

Many believers carry the quiet temptation to withdraw when progress feels slow or costly. Scripture meets that temptation with a calm reminder. God is already at work beyond what you can observe.

Today:
Remain faithful in one area where you have been tempted to pull back, trusting that God is present even when outcomes are unclear.

For further study and encouragement:
Joshua 1:9

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