“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)
This verse encourages me on so many levels—4 to be exact. Following God’s command to “fear not,” is four divine supports to help us move past fear and trust God.
- Do not fear—because I am with yo
- Do not be dismayed—because I am your God
- Do not fear—because I will strengthen you and help you
- Do not fear—because I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
It’s hard not to give into fear, but with God’s support we can succeed.
Let’s take a closer look at these divine supports:
Support Number One: Fear not for I am with you.
Did you know that you live and move in God’s Presence? Everything you do and experience, God is aware of. There is nowhere you and I can hide from His Presence. Psalms 139: 7-9 says it best.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Just think how acknowledging God’s Presence throughout the day and night can sooth our fears and build our confidence.
Support Number Two: Fear not for I am your God.
This support doesn’t mean much if we don’t have the right estimate of who God is.
In the beginning, God created us in his image. Ever since then we’ve been creating God in our image. We tend to project our limitations on God. What we create is a God who is a little bigger, a little better, a little stronger, and a little wiser than we are. We end up with a God who is a supersized version of ourselves. The problem with thinking of God this way is that it makes God too small.
Paul had the right estimate of God. He said, “God is incomparably great.”
Look what Isaiah has to say about God. “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?”
What a superb reminder of God’s mighty power in the creation of the universe and galaxies. With a God this big, what could ever escape His attention? What need could we have that He cannot handle? Certainly, we can place our trust in a God so big that even the ocean waves obey their boundaries!
God is saying, “Fear not! I’m the God of creation. I’m the God of the nations. I’m the God of history. I’m the God of today, and I’m the God of tomorrow.”
Support Number Three: Fear not. I will strengthen you and help you.
The Psalmist says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Did you know that God is willing to release us of our burdens and our cares—those things that weigh heavy on our hearts— and take them on himself. That why he invites, come to me all you who are weary—from trying to please everybody, from trying to belong and fit in, from seeking security in material things, your job, or position or popularity—come and I will give you rest. When you and I learn to yield our fears to Christ, we gain strength in our weakness.
Support Number Four: Fear not. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
While it’s true that God may not always remove us from our situation, he will support us in it. He will uphold us. Still, as the pressure of stress and worry weigh on us, it’s easy to forget or ignore the very things that uphold us such as God’s peace and promises such as Isaiah 54:10.
The Lord makes us this promise. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
I know this was a long post, but I encourage you to let the support of God calm your fear and sooth your heart. God knows; He’s been there and He’s there still. Therefore, you and I can truly live fearless!
Chelsea S says
Just the reminder I needed. Casting all my cares, and facing today with faith. Thank you for the encouragement 🙂
Kristi S says
Thanks Micca. God is there for us in so many ways. Reading Chapter 11 of your book on “abiding” in His presence has given me direction and peace. Blessing to you!
Michelle L. says
I just got the kindle edition of your book and I am excited about reading it and joining your online study. I think it will be the soothing balm my soul is longing for. God bless Proverbs 31 Ministries and all the beautiful women of God here.
What a blessing to me!