So do not fear, 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

 

Fear is an ugly four-letter word. Every human being is affected by it. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what your background is, or how many possessions you have. It doesn’t matter HOW confident you are, how strong a person you are, or your positive outlook on life. AND fear doesn’t play fair. It can grip you at the most inconvenient time. Sometimes it creeps up on you unaware, and sometimes fear knocks you over.

God never intended for His creation to be controlled by fear. This is why time and time again, God declares in His Word, “Do not fear.” Sometimes God’s tone of voice is that of a command. Sometimes, as in Isaiah 41:10, it is the tender voice of the Father silencing the fears and encouraging the faith of the servants of God in their distresses.

 

Father God is encouraging us not to fear. Don’t panic. Why? “Because I am with you!” Father God is encouraging us not to be dismayed. Don’t be discouraged or become disheartened. Why? “Because I am your God!”

 

Now let’s be honest. These statements are hard. Everything we do in life, every response we have is first and foremost motivated by our five physical senses. We can’t see God, we can’t audibly hear God, we can’t touch God, and we can’t taste or smell God. It is also easy for money, career, family, or success to take God’s place in our lives. It’s easy to become “lukewarm” in our relationship with Him.

 

This is where Romans 12:2 comes into play, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” In other words, let God’s Word continually change the way you think, feel and respond. Daily remind yourself of Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Nothing can separate us from the love of God (see Romans 8:35-39). God will never leave us or forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6). Put your faith in the fact that God is always with you, and you can always depend on Him for everything you need. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

 

Fear can cause our hearts to faint and our knees to buckle. God says, “I will give you strength to conquer your fear” (see Isaiah 40:29). Fear can stop us from making decisions, keeping us from the next step. God says, “I will help you, guide you and give you wise counsel” (see John 16:7-15). Fear tries to stop us in our tracks, causing us to lose momentum and even quit. God says, “I will hold you up, hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you” (see Psalm 91:11-12, Isaiah 41:13, Psalm 73:23).

 

With a God like this in our corner, it begs the question, “What am I afraid of?” Nothing. “We don’t need any more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity. We don’t need any more wisdom than exists in Father God, nor more love than displays itself in Christ the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Holy Spirit” (Charles Spurgeon).

 

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

 

Choosing to trust God and not fear,
Pastor Tom