You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its remotest parts, and said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 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 41:9-10
Notes
As believers, we are part of an old covenant, spoken to Abraham all those years ago. God could have chosen the mighty Babylonians, the ancient Egyptians, or the great Medes, but he chose a small, humble nation as His people. Israel would be the example of service rather than strength because ultimately God is the strength people really need.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
2 Timothy 4:17
The old covenant became new in the life of Jesus Christ and through him, all believers are called to become servants. This is not just acts of charity or care for others. This means accepting the lowly role of servitude by sacrificing pride, power, and status. This act of lowliness brings us closer to the powerful God who cares for us and knows that our sinful nature will never be satisfied, but in Him, by lessening ourselves, we catch a glimpse of the beauty of heaven on earth.
God’s people were chosen and were not forced upon Him. We can be assured of His presence, but more than that, we can count on a sustaining relationship with a powerful and almighty God. He will not leave us nor cast us aside because we have been chosen. This does not mean that we go through life without suffering, in fact, we may endure more hardship by following Christ. Even so, we can count on the Lord to come alongside and support us through trials, reminding us that we are capable and can endure.
Fear is a natural response, a defense mechanism that pushes us into survival mode rather than a place of confidence. But we were never meant to be fully capable of what God can accomplish. When we reach our fullest extent, He has promised to be there with us, bringing us through the difficult times. If we could accomplish our entire life objective and extensive purpose solely on our own, when would we need God? It is when we decide we know more or can accomplish more than the Lord that we become lost.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
When pressed into what seems like a corner, or overwhelmed by a seemingly mightier adversary, the Lord does not simply change the circumstances. He transforms situations so that those who tried to hurt us or intimidate us walk away stunned and ashamed. We do not need to be strong for God will be strong for us. We do not need to know the course because God has already paved the way and will light the path. We are not alone, for our God is always aware and always present. His abilities are beyond measure, and if God is for us, who can be against us?
MEMORY VERSE
Félix Hilaire Buhot. The Cliff, Bay of St. Malmo, 1889–90. The Art Institute of Chicago
Related Verses
More verses about strength in God’s presence:
PRAYER INVITATION
Application Questions
- When you make mistakes, are you afraid of being rejected? How does knowing that you cannot be cast off give you strength not to keep doing wrong, but to alleviate the pressure to be perfect?
- What or who is causing you to be anxious, to be in fear, or to be dismayed? How does knowing that God is calling you to “fear not” provide you with encouragement?
- In moments when you panic or fear, what is your first response? Do you hide, get angry, become defensive, or call on the Lord? How can you change your day-to-day life so that your first response is to God?
- How do you feel about knowing you are upheld by God’s “righteous right hand”? Can you reflect on a time when you were upheld, and it was not of your doing? How can you remember this truth when you are struggling?
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