When God says: Don’t be discouraged or grow weak from fear, he tells us why: He wins victory after victory and is always with us. His victory that removes fear gives us peace. Consider the struggles we are facing in our community, COVID and others. As normal people no doubt we are anxious and afraid about what lies ahead, for health, business, society and family. But God is with us. He promises us safety in him. Therefore do not be afraid. The people in Zephaniah’s day were fearful too. But what a contrast to their fear: The Lord celebrates and sings because of them and he refreshes their lives with his love!
In a sense, nothing has changed. Things make us afraid because we can’t control them. But God is in control. God promises peace, even as the risen Christ proclaimed to his disciples when they were afraid. God was even in control on the Cross and beyond it.
“Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. ”  Philippians 4:6-7