Isaiah 41:1-20
Friday, 29 October 2021
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ -Isaiah 41:10
God’s people need not give into fear. The Bible repeats the command of “Fear Not” or “Do not Fear” about 365 times- once for each day of the year- that shows us that there is not day in our lives when fear is not a reality.
More than 150 years before Cyrus’s birth, Isaiah foresaw that God would raise up a man who would free the Jews from their Babylonian exile – one who would carry out God’s righteous plan. Israel must not fear destruction because God had chosen them as his channel to carry out the promise of redemption (the Messiah) He had made to their ancestors.
Looking at the key verse, there are five things that we don’t have to be:
You Don’t Have to Be Afraid because the LORD is with you
Fear is one of the chief weapons of the enemy and causes us distress and worry. One minister defines FEAR as: False Evidence Appearing Real. Faith in God’s presence with us is the antidote to the fear the enemy sets against us. Apostle John wrote in 1 John 4:18 that perfect love casts away all fear. Knowing God loves you, helps you to stay grounded that He is with you.
You Don’t Have to Be Dismayed because THE LORD is YOUR God
The definition of “dismay” is “a sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger.” Dismay is a close companion of fear. When our courage is targeted, there is great discouragement that comes to us. Our inspiration and zest for life is drained. We find ourselves living life in alarm mode, so our peace is targeted. But we have a resident Comforter— the Holy Spirit living within us.
You Don’t Have to Be Weak because YOUR all-powerful God said He would strengthen you
We have a source of unending strength in our position in Christ. This is how God strengthens us in our New Covenant through Christ. We have within us the same Spirit that filled and energized Jesus who God raised from the dead. 2 Peter 1: 3 says we have already been given all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him. It is in knowing Him and who He is in us, which opens the way for His supply to manifest in our lives.
You Don’t Have to Be Helpless because YOUR all-powerful and ever-present God said He will help you
The very One who spoke the universe into existence makes Himself available to your need. He invites you into His throne room to receive His grace and mercy in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16). He will help!
You Don’t Have to Be Downfallen because your all-powerful and ever-present God said He would hold you up with His righteous right hand
The righteous will not be moved. We have been made righteous by the Lord Jesus Christ’s redemptive work. We are seated with Him in heavenly places held by His right hand, the hand of power and authority. Jesus has been raised and we are in Him, so we have a solid foundation that our salvation rests upon.
Dr. David Livingstone (1813-1873) served as a missionary to Africa. For 30 years he suffered hunger, sickness and injuries. “Shall I tell you what sustained me amidst the toils, the hardships and loneliness of my yielded life?” asked Dr. Livingstone. He continued, “It was the promise, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end.” The promise still holds today for you and me!
Think on it: For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15)