“So do not fear1,
for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you
and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
These
verses are directed to the Babylonian Exiles. Fear is a real emotion that involves apprehension or the uneasy
anticipation of some future dread. It is
a natural emotion that we all must deal with from time to time because we are
human and not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. It is when we focus on God and not our fear
that we can utilize all the power the Spirit provides to overcome those fears. God is infinitely greater than any person or
thing that could come against us. No
comparison can be found between the might and awesome power of God who can with
a word create all things and the power of any
created being or thing. It would be
like a world-class boxer going in the ring with an unpolished club
fighter. There is no comparison.
The
reason God shares these encouraging words thru the prophet Isaiah is to silence
the fears and bolster the faith of these servants of God. It was clear that fear, rather than faith,
was the prevalent attitude of the exiles. God had been their all in all thru
the worst of times, therefore they are being reminded to depend on His presence. By virtue of His very name (Immanuel) God is always
with us. God is not speaking harshly to
them, but rather with tenderness and compassion. As a believer trusts in and relies on the Lord
He will strengthen and uphold them in the face of the direst of
circumstances. There is nothing the
enemy can do to us that God does not know about and allow for His own purposes.
There is no time that we are alone, for if we are born again His Holy Spirit
resides within us.
As
for the wicked that would come against us, Psalm 372 describes their future:
“For those who are evil will be destroyed, …” “the wicked will be no
more; though you look for them, they will not be found.” “The wicked plot
against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the
wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” Fear not my children for the Lord is with
you to sustain you and use you to be a blessing to the unsaved of this
world. Until next time, walk with the
King and be a blessing!
Resource(s):
American Heritage Dictionary; Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary; The
Reformation Study Bible and The Asbury Bible Commentary.
1 According
to BibleGateway.com the phrase “Do not be afraid” appears 81 times in scripture
from Genesis thru Revelation.
2Psalm 37:8-14
“Refrain
from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but
those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no
more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy
peace and prosperity. The wicked plot
against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the
wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and
needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.”
