Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isa 41:10).
The word “fear” occurs in the King James Bible 400 times. Isaiah delivers a message from God to “fear not.” Some Bible messages are so penetrating you can feel the muscles in your body relaxing. This is a prime verse for meditation. Please don’t rush on to pursue your day. Tarry here and read this over, several times. Notice the “I am’s” and the “I will’s.” Is God really with me? Is He really my God? He says He will strengthen you…He will help you…He will uphold you with the right hand of His righteousness. Stop and meditate on these words. Say them aloud. They are for you if you want them.
An anchor for the soul – There may come a day when you had rather lay hold on this verse than to have a million dollars laid in your hand. Life can lay some heavy burdens on you, in case you haven’t been down the road very far. Where can you buy relief from fear or grief? Where can you buy strength or steadiness for your faltering steps? Sooner or later most of us reach that place where we realize that our greatest need is the living God. “Lord, where are you? God, please show up!”
Rarely will you see a deer in the wild with closed eyes as in the above photo. The rabbit appears to be leaning on the greater power of the deer. (I’m thankful to the lady who took this picture.) Beyond our need for breath, sometimes our greatest need is for words, for thoughts. Years ago, I memorized the above verse and have felt its strength many times as I quoted it and meditated on it.
Fear thou not - This verse is plain in its meaning, and is full of consolation. It is to be regarded as addressed primarily to the exiled Jews during their long and painful captivity in Babylon; and the idea is, that they who had been selected by God to be his special people had nothing to fear. But the promise is one that may be regarded as addressed to all his people in similar circumstances, and it is as true now as it was then, that those whom God has chosen have nothing to fear.
For I am with thee - This is a reason why they should not be afraid. God was their protector, and of whom should they be afraid? ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ What higher consolation can man desire than the assurance that God is with him to protect him? (Barnes)
It is good for God’s people to practice seeking the presence of the Lord before there is a great crisis at hand. Jesus said: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Joh 14:27)
Jesus speaks these words as though we are in control of our troubled hearts. Yes, that’s what it says. “This threat shall not overwhelm me! He is with me! He has promised me His presence and peace and I choose to believe Him!” But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb 11:6)
It is not faith when we are walking by sight. On this earth, we walk by faith until our journey ends where we shall walk by sight. Fear thou not to walk by faith. Ω
Read Through the Bible in a Year
MARCH 21, 2017 – TUESDAY
A.M. Josh 4-6 P.M. Luke: 2:1-24
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Memory Verse This Month:
Let the words of my mouth, and meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psa 19:14)
Song for Today:
Living By Faith (3:36) – (Gaither Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwJfwYMuZEQ
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