Week 51
Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
There is no greater obstacle to true faith than fear. Fear of danger, fear of loss, or even fear of failure will rise up against our faith and scream, “You will not survive!”
But God is deeper than any pit, and His light dispels any darkness. Here in our text our God speaks wonderfully to His people, attacking the monster of fear in our hearts.
God begins by commanding His people not to fear. Do we not hear our Savior’s call, “Do not fear.” We rationalize our fear, we excuse our fear, and we even at time enshrine our fear, but fear is really doubting God, and doubting God is most assuredly unacceptable to the people of the resurrected Christ. Our Lord sees our fear and paints it with dark colors on the canvas of truth. Our Master commands, “Do not anxiously look about you.” The furtive glances back and forth, terrified at every sound, hoping just to survive, and the timid child of God tip toes along the path Christ hoping to avoid detection. Our Champion says to the fainthearted, “Stop it; stop it right now!”
Notice how God doesn’t simply forbid us to be fearful, but He gives us repeated reasons why we should not be fearful: “For I am with you…I am your God. I will strengthen you…I will help you…I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
First, the Lord establishes the relationship He has with His people, then He assures us of what He will grant to us as we look to Him in faith. The relationship God has with His people cannot be more precious and certain. He says, “I am your God.” Can we ask for more? Surely not! And as our God, He provides for us His presence (“I am with you”), His help (“surely I will help you”). His strength (“I will strengthen you”), and His undergirding grace (“surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”). There is nothing more we need if we have our God; He is enough, and He will supply our need.
Christian friend, you are blessed beyond measure. You belong to the God of the universe. He is with you, and He will undertake to provide for you no matter how strenuous the challenge may be. He is with you, and He will never leave you or abandon you. You may be weak, but He is your strength. He will turn your weakness into His power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and you will be able to do all things through Christ who will strengthen you (Philippians 4:13). So, my brother or sister in Christ “Lift up your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees (Hebrews 12:12).” The Lord God is with you, and God is enough for you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please grant to me that I might think more on Your grace and promise than I do the risks and dangers around me. I thank You that I am in Your hands, and because of that, I am safe. Strengthen my faith that I might stand in the hour of testing. Amen.