The Banishing of Fearful Things

 

Do not fear the king of Babylon,

     of whom you are afraid.

Do not fear him,

            declares the LORD,

for I am with you,

   to save you and to deliver you

            from his hand.

               Jeremiah 42. 11

(Everyone has a king of Babylon,

   something of which we fear.

But we also have the Most High

     who walks with us.

God never said

           there is nothing to be afraid of,

   but throughout Scripture He reminds us,

             "Do not fear.  I am with you."

Let not the scary things overwhelm us,

    but let fear send us to our knees

and to trust God even more.)

O LORD,

Help us to seek You

      when darkness surrounds us.

Be our light through

                  what we fear.

Strengthen us by Your might

    and by Your Presence

that we would be faithful

      even in the hard places

and know

          You are with us.

You are not about

    to abandon us now,

but take our right hand

   and carry us through.

Your Presence

             changes everything.