On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. (Zephaniah 3:16 ESV)
Hands
Fear often stops us from doing things.
The People of God in Zephaniah’s day had plenty to be afraid of.
And maybe we do, too.
The order of this command is important. Fear not, then find strength.
Finding strength is not the pathway to fear-ending.
We find strength when the fear is gone.
But only if the end of fear happens in the right way. Christ Jesus is the only answer to fear. And when we believe, and fear flees, then God graciously gives our hands the strength we need to do the work HE calls us to do.
Jesus allows us to be willing and able. Jesus empowers us to be willing and able. Jesus makes us willing and able.
Fear not, because He has work for us to do.