God Reassures His People Series

ISAIAH 41: 10-14

GOD REASSURES HIS PEOPLE

In his first INAUGURAL SPEECH in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the newly elected president of the US, addressed a nation that was still reeling from the Great Depression. Hoping to ignite a more optimistic outlook regarding that economic crisis, he declared, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!"

Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something-our wealth, health, reputation, position, safety, family, friends. It reveals our natural desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than super-naturally entrusting them to God's care and control. When fear takes over, it cripples us emotionally and saps us spiritually. We're afraid to tell others about Christ, to extend our lives and resources for the benefit of others, or to venture into new territory. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands.

The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. Only when we trust the reality of God's presence, power, protection, and provision for our lives can we share the joy God intends for us. Trust in the Lord is the cure for a fearful spirit [Joe Stowell. Our Daily Bread]. God’s Covenant people therefore were and are commanded not to fear regardless of their circumstances.

God’s own help guaranteed that Israel could accomplish His purpose for them, just as it does for us. God would use their difficulties to strengthen them until they were ready to become His instruments of harvest and triumph over their enemies. Take heart servants of God! All He has put you through will be used to make you more than a conqueror through Him who loves you.

The people of God should not be a fearful people (CIT). The phrase “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” is found 365 times in the Bible. We should not be a people who are anxious or troubled or worried or fretful about things that threaten our life and happiness such as economic adversity, hostile people, satanic opposition, guilt-laden consciences, deteriorating health, and death. The mark of God's people is not incapacitating fear, but rather contrite courageous confidence in God. We need not fear for the Lord remains our God (Isa. 43:3) so He will continue to be with us (43:5) to strengthen (40:31), help (41:13-14), and uphold us.

I. HIS PROMISED PRESENCE, 10.

II. HIS PROMISED PROTECTION, 11-12.

III. HIS PROMISED PROVISION, 13-14.

Verse 10 is one of the great promises of Scripture. ‘Do not fear, for I AM with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Here God addresses words of encouragement to His people. Because of their relationship with Him they do not need to fear anything. This is not positive thinking. Their hope is not in casting off negative thoughts. Their confidence is in what God promises to do for them.

God gives [five] reasons we need not fear. First, We should take courage because He, our God, is with us. This is a solid foundation of confidence, and if it be fixed in our minds, we shall be able to stand firm and unshaken against temptations of every kind. When we think that God is absent, or doubt whether or not He will assist us, we are agitated by fear, and tossed about amidst many storms of distrust. But if we stand firm on this foundation, on the foundation that God is with us, we will not be overwhelmed by any assaults or tempests. By nature we are timid and full of distrust, but we must correct that vice by this reflection; “God is present with us, and cares for us.” Again the phrase, “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” is found 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year. Jesus promised His presence in Matthew 28:20: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” When you’re filled with fear, remember this truth and declare it out loud: I will have no fear because He is here!

The second reason not t fear is because of our personal relationship with Him; He is our God. But who is He? Is He a helpless God? No, He is the great "I Am." Every other being in the universe needs sustaining. He alone is self-existent, complete in Himself. He is our God.

I will not be dismayed because He is my God. To be dismayed means to be anious and filled with fear. It literally means, “To look around anxiously as one does in a state of alarm.”