Fear Not
We read in Isaiah 41:10, “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 victorious right hand.” This verse was written to be an encouragement to the people of Israel, but it also speaks to us today. The Lord is telling us that He will be with us and that we need not be anxious about anything. We are told that the Lord will strengthen and help us and uphold us. As a pastor I have found that many persons spend a lot of time worrying about what will happen next. They look at life on the negative side, never taking the time to look at all they have.
Our text says, “fear not”. This is something we should all be thankful for. Just think, God is always with us. When a child is scared and they put their arms around one of their parents, they feel safe and secure. This is the way we should feel because God’s is ever present in our life. Christians, we have a lot to be thankful for. Our heavenly Father is always with us no matter where we are and no matter how difficult life may have become. God is holding our hand the same way a loving parent would hold the hand of their child.
Our test goes on to say, “be not dismayed, for I am your God.” The trouble today is that millions are unhappy and discontent because they worship the god of temporal pursuits. Their god is possessions, pleasures, power and popularity. But these things soon decay, depreciate, and deteriorate. None of these things can really satisfy. How quickly the temporal things fade away and don’t bring real fulfillment in life. But as Christians we have a lot to be thankful for. We have the living God who can satisfy the longing of our soul. So be encouraged because all who trust in Christ will have the longing of their heart satisfied.
How wonderful are the words of the verse 10, “I will strengthen you, I will help you” 2nd Corinthians 12:9, “And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Paul is saying that God gives us strength at just the time we need it.
The last part of Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” Yes, the Lord will take us His Children by the hand and guide us, as a loving parent would help their child across a street. You wouldn’t let a child go half way across the street and say you are on your own would you? God would not do that to us. He promises to be at our side all the way. We read in Matthew 28:20, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” It’s like the song that says He hasn’t brought us this far to let us go. As a Christian we can say with confidence, all the way my Savior leads me.
Pastor Ralph