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What great encouraging words those must have been for the newly identified apostles! “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” That’s like a high school football coach sending in his offense against the Chicago Bears defense and saying, “I’m sending you in there to be killed and devoured. Go to it!”

What’s the deal with Jesus sending his followers out into dangerous water without years of training? After all, doesn’t he know that winning someone to faith often takes months of arguing the truth of the Bible and wearing the other person down with niceness etc.?

Sure, it’s frightening, but it is also one of the most encouraging sets of verses. Check out these promises Jesus gives to offset the effects of fear:

• The Father, through the presence of the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say during times of stress. (Don’t be afraid of being put to the verbal test by an examiner of the faith or your life.)
• There will be great stress over Jesus (they aren’t alone), but those who stand firm through the end will be saved.
• God can see anything that anyone does against you.
• God is the judge and the only one to fear, but he loves us enough to know the hairs on our head.
• If we acknowledge Christ before men, he will acknowledge us before the Father.

Are you afraid of talking to people about your faith? Jesus promises that words will be given to you in the moment you need them. Are you worried about failing in the faith? Jesus promises that simply standing firm to the end will result in salvation.

Other applications can be made, but here is your big idea for the day.

BIG IDEA FOR THE DAY: We have no one to fear but God himself, and he loves us intimately.