Psalms 54 through 56, which we will consider on Sunday mornings the next few weeks, encourage us not to fear. Here is a selection of verses throughout Scripture that give us similar encouragement. When you are tempted to fear, read through this list, and dig more deeply by reading the context for a few of the verses. Through the encouragement of the Scriptures we are to have hope (Romans 15:4). So may these Scriptures grant us hope in the place of fear – Coty.

Genesis 15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Genesis 26:24  And the LORD appeared to [Jacob] the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”

Exodus 14:13  And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

Exodus 20:20  [When the Israelites arrived at Mt Sinai and saw the evidence of God’s presence:] Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”

Numbers 14:9  [Moses speaks after the spies tell of giants in the Promised Land:] “Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”

Deuteronomy 20:1  “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 31:6  [Moses is about to die. He speaks here of the Canaanites:] “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Joshua 1:9  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 Samuel 12:20  [After the Israelites wrongly ask for a king, like the other nations:] And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.”

1 Kings 17:12-14  [During a famine, after Elijah asks a widow for some bread:” And she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'”

2 Kings 6:16-17  [When an enemy king sends a army to seize Elisha, and his servant is fearful:] [Elisha] said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

1 Chronicles 28:20  Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”

2 Chronicles 20:15,17  [When a huge army comes to attack Judah in the time of King Jehoshaphat:] And [a prophet] said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. … You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”

2 Chronicles 32:7  [King Hezekiah to his commanders when the Assyrian emperor is threatening Jerusalem with a large army:] “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.”

Nehemiah 4:14b  [Nehemiah to the workers when enemies threaten those building the walls of Jerusalem:] “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Psalm 27:1  The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 55:22  Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 56:3-4  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Proverbs 3:25-26  Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 35:4  Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Isaiah 41:10-14  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Isaiah 44:8  “Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Isaiah 51:7-8 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.”

Jeremiah 42:11  [Jeremiah speaks after the Babylonians have conquered Jerusalem, and some Israelites have assassinated the governor the Babylonians appointed:] “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.”

Lamentations 3:57-58  You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.

Zephaniah 3:15-17: The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

From Matthew 10:26-31  “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. … And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. … Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Mark 5:36  [When the ruler hears that his beloved daughter has died] But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Luke 1:30  And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

Luke 2:10  And the angel said to [the shepherds], “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Luke 12:32  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Acts 18:9-10  And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision [in Corinth], “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

Acts 27:23  [Paul speaking in the middle of a terrible storm at sea:] “For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’”

Romans 8:31  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Peter 3:13-15a Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy.

Hebrews 13:6  So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Revelation 2:10: [From the letter to the church in Smyrna:] Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

[All Scriptures are ESV.]