Fear not

It was fear that led Adam and Eve to hide from the Lord, and fear that moved Israel to make and worship a golden calf; fear that led kings of Israel into unholy alliances to their detriment and destruction. And it is fear that surrounds so many in our day, to cower in their homes, to be kept awake at night, fretting and fearful, as their hearts fail them over what is coming on the world. But we must repent of this, and fear only him who is able to destroy body and soul in hell, and cleave only to his word of promise: you are of more value than many sparrows; fear not, therefore.  If the sparrows are all under his sway and command, so indeed must we be kept, in every breath and moment of life. As Jesus said to his disciples, so I now say unto you: fear not! Sermon for Midweek of Trinity VII.