Fear Not Little Flock

Fear is an emotion with which we are all quite familiar. You know what it is like to be gripped by it. That shiver down the spine, the hairs standing on the back of your neck, your stomach sinking, and then your mouth goes dry. We have all experienced that in life on different times. On occasion, when we thought we were facing the verge of death, we experienced extreme fear.

Fear has a twin brother with whom he likes to hang out. Fear’s twin is worry. Often times worry and fear work in tandem. Not only will we experience the fear of something, but then there is the worry of “What if this happens, what if that happens.” You can get caught up in these two areas and get dragged down spiritually. Excessive worry, experts say, can actually shorten the human lifespan.

Jesus says, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). In this short statement of Jesus, we see that we are sheep and Jesus is our shepherd. Jesus is saying, “I am the Shepherd. I am going to watch out for you. I am going to protect you. Though you are defenseless, though you are weak, I am going to watch out for you. So don’t be afraid little flock.”

What comforting words Jesus speaks to us. We, as children of God, don’t have to fear. For Jesus is going to watch over us.