We have some lovely friends who live and work on a moshav overlooking the Sea of Galilee (they grow mangoes, lychees, mandarins & pomegranates there).
The moshav (farming settlement) is called Almagor (אלמגור) which in Hebrew means "fear not"!
Honestly, I wish I could transport all of you there to see the early morning sun over the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) it is idyllic beyond description and I have been privileged to see it many times.
Of course part of the charm, for those who love Jesus, is that His ministry took place around this area for the majority of the time.
So it is fitting indeed that the place is called Almagor, for Jesus spoke these words in one form or another in this vicinity.
I wondered through the gospels to find when and where Jesus tells "fear not" or "do not be afraid".
At this time of fear, it's good to remind ourselves what the Master commands us and in what circumstances we are to "fear not".
The verses below were found where folk feared sickness and death, feared storms, the future, feared lack of food or clothes, feared wars etc.
Matthew 10:28 AMPC
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).
Matthew 10:31 AMPC
Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 14:27 AMPC
But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!
Matthew 17:7 AMPC
But Jesus came and touched them and said, Get up, and do not be afraid.
Matthew 24:6 AMPC
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 28:10 AMPC
Then Jesus said to them, Do not be alarmed and afraid; go and tell My brethren to go into Galilee, and there they will see Me.
Mark 5:36 AMPC
Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing.
Mark 6:50 AMPC
For they all saw Him and were agitated (troubled and filled with fear and dread). But immediately He talked with them and said, Take heart! I AM! Stop being alarmed and afraid.
Mark 13:7 AMPC
And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not get alarmed (troubled and frightened); it is necessary [that these things] take place, but the end is not yet.
Luke 8:50 AMPC
Do not be seized with alarm or struck with fear; simply believe [in Me as able to do this], and she shall be made well.
Luke 12:4 AMPC
I tell you, My friends, do not dread and be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do.
Luke 12:7 AMPC
But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows.
Luke 12:22 AMPC
And [Jesus] said to His disciples, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious and troubled [with cares] about your life, as to what you will [have to] eat; or about your body, as to what you will [have to] wear.
Luke 12:32 AMPC
Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!
John 6:20 AMPC
But Jesus said to them, It is I; be not afraid! [I AM; stop being frightened!]
John 14:27 AMPC
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
Fight fear with the words of Jesus, they are our "swords"⚔️ to stab worries in the heart and put fear to flight!
You may be like me, a state registered coward, but remember Gideon, who struggled with fear and inferiority (Judges 6:27). God replaced his fear with faith (Judges 6:34).
Gather with me in your imagination, gaze over the Sea of Galilee and hear the voice of Jesus echoing across your troubled waters "fear not", He IS with you in the boat to calm your storm and allay your fears.
Selah
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