BE STRONG AND NOT FEAR

Say to those who are fearful-hearted,“Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you. Isaiah 35:4 (NKJV)

A Word of Encouragement in Troubled Times

In times like these, when our hearts are gripped by fear, God is speaking to us clearly: Be strong, do not be afraid. The fear we feel is real—born out of the troubling events unfolding across the world and especially close to home. From a global pandemic to local tragedies, the world seems to be reeling from crisis after crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in Wuhan, China, has swept across the globe, affecting even the most powerful and technologically advanced nations. Countries like Italy, Spain, and the United States—nations with strong healthcare systems—have seen thousands of lives lost. These are countries that once seemed untouchable, yet today, they cry out for help. Wealth, power, and technology have proven helpless in the face of an invisible enemy. Private jets cannot fly us to safety. Borders are closed. Even our churches, once places of refuge, have been temporarily shut. It feels as if the world has been brought to a halt by something too small for the eye to see.

But in the midst of this global crisis, another silent tragedy is unfolding in Nigeria.

In recent times, Plateau State has suffered a series of brutal and heartbreaking attacks attributed to Fulani herdsmen, particularly targeting Christian communities. These assaults have left hundreds dead and many more wounded, with entire villages burned and displaced.

December 2023 brought one of the deadliest attacks yet. Between the 23rd and 25th, coordinated assaults were carried out on nearly 20 rural communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas. Around 200 lives were lost and over 500 others injured. Homes and churches were set on fire. Though no official group claimed responsibility, the pattern and survivors’ testimonies point clearly to Fulani militias.

Only weeks earlier, on November 30, 2023, Fulani herdsmen and associated bandits attacked the villages of Puka and Dinter in Mangu County, killing seven Christians, including five men and one woman. Just a day before, a pastor and two others were kidnapped in Raddi village, Bassa County, though thankfully they were later rescued in Bauchi State.

Earlier in the year, from May 15 to 16, over 100 people were killed in another attack in Mangu Local Government Area. These incidents are part of an ongoing and deepening crisis—part of the wider herder-farmer conflict but also driven by religious and ethnic hostility.

These relentless tragedies, both global and local, have filled hearts with fear and uncertainty. Help often feels distant. The weight of anxiety presses down. And yet, in the middle of all this, God has not left us alone.

He speaks to us today, just as clearly as He did generations ago:
“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come… He will come and save you.’” – Isaiah 35:4

God sees. God knows. And God is coming to save.

Now more than ever, we must stand firm in prayer, grounded in the Word, and unwavering in our faith. Even though our physical places of worship may be closed, the Church—the true Church—is not a building. It is you and me. We are the living body of Christ, and no structure, no lockdown, and no fear can destroy the bond that holds us together.

Let us lift one another up. Let us speak life, hope, and strength into weary hearts. When we look to the government or media, we may be discouraged. When we look within, we may feel weak. But when we lift our eyes to God, we find courage, peace, and strength to endure.

Our King is near. His power will be revealed. And by His stripes, we were healed (Isaiah 53:5).

So let faith rise.
Let hope live.
And let love abound.
Even in the darkness, the light of Christ shines brighter still.