(George Mylne, “Fear Not!” 1854)“Fear not little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!” Luke 12:32
Reader, are you one of the redeemed flock — the “holy flock” — the “beautiful flock.” (Jeremiah 13:20, Ezra 36:38.) Then the good Shepherd says to you, “Fear not!”
I know not what your worldly means may be. You may have to work hard for your bread, and have a large family depending on your labors. Perhaps you have known better days. You may have had great great expectations which came to nothing. Schemes of ambition, or prospects of gain, may have been blighted. Promises of advancement may have failed and health may assail you. Your whole life may have been one chain of trials:
of poverty;
bereavement;
disappointment;
in the family;
trials enough to break your heart —
if it were not stayed on Jesus. But fear not!
He has words of comfort to cheer you!
And He has gold tried in the fire, to make you rich!
He has honor and privilege, to make amends for all your trials!
Because He says, “Fear not little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!”
You may have lost much that you once possessed.
Who is rich — if you are not rich!
And Who is happy — if you are not happy!
Who is honorable — if you are not glorious!
Fear not, child of God! And fear not poverty, trial or anything which makes you feel your dependence upon God.Envy no man of his possessions, his honors, or his pleasures — you have far more than he has and your riches endure forever.
Earthly crowns are corruptible — but your crown is incorruptible.
You have eternal pleasures at your Father’s right hand. (Psalm 16:11)
But, reader, the Scriptures tell us that we must go through much tribulation to enter into the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22.) But your “light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!” (2 Corinthians 4:17.) Before long, through God’s sustaining grace, you shall sit down with Christ on His throne! (Rev. 3:21.) Child of God, remember the promise; obey the precept; think of the heavenly Kingdom, and fear not!