“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.”
The first two words in Isaiah 41:10 tell us to fear not! It goes on to say, “for I am with you.” Who is with us? The Lord our God. We don’t have to be dismayed. The English word dismay means: “To cause to lose enthusiasm or resolution; disillusion or discourage” (American Heritage Dictionary). Dismay would be the beginning stages of fear. It’s less than full-blown fear or terror. It’s dread or apprehension of something bad happening.
In life there are snares and trapes everywhere. But the word of God tells us as believers, that we do not have to fear. God promised that He will strengthen and help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand.
In Isaiah 41, God is giving Israel words of comfort and assurance. He is encouraging them to trust Him for their future. Even though in the past Israel was rebellious, they were not abandoned by God. If we look at their history, when they were in slavery back in Egypt, wandering in the desert, conquered in Canaan, all the way up to their captivity in Babylon. He wanted them to realize that He never left them. He was always with them and He still was.
God’s promise: “I will strengthen you,”. This is what He was telling Israel and what He is also telling us today. Do we truly know what that means? In the original Hebrew, the verb translated “to strengthen” entails making someone stronger and stronger; it means “to grow and develop; to prevail; to have or show courage; to seize, grasp, and keep hold of.”
God was aware of Israel’s weaknesses, just like He is aware of ours. He used their personal experience and journey of faith to develop strength and courage in them. The Lord was with them; He had grabed hold of them and would never let them go. This reminds me of John 10:28 NKJV, “neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Psalm 139:8–10 NKJV says, “even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” These scriptures and others we can find are showing us pictures of God’s strong and strengthening presence. His right hand symbolizes His power and strength to never let us go.
As we trust in Him, His very presence brings us strength. If we are fearful or dismayed find precious promises in God’s word to stand on. Plant them in your heart and in your life. Jesus is our source of strength to overcome any trials or temptations we may face. We are more than conquerors through Him( Romans 8:37). If we feel weak, like we can’t make it through, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says He is strong in us.
You are not the only one that has ever felt unqualified for a task. Even the Apostle Paul testified that it was God’s strength alone that enabled him to preach the gospel (2 Timothy 4:17-18). In 1 Timothy 1:12, Paul was thanking God who allowed him to even be in ministry. Paul, who before his name was changed from Saul, persecuted Christians. Yet He had an encounter with God and was given a new assignment. Paul trusted God. God gave him strength and delivered him through every hostile experience. Our God is faithful and not a respecter of persons. Whatever the Holy Spirit is leading you to do in this season, you do not have to be afraid. Fear Not, let Him uphold you with His righteous right hand.
Looking for more? Check out my related blog posts:
Trust in God – Don’t Be Afraid
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