Fear Not, I Will Help You
Audela Study Desk · 3 min read
Isaiah gives four reasons not to fear, and every one of them is about God.
Today's Scripture
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The Devotional
Isaiah is speaking to a people facing exile and the powers around them. Into that setting God says, Do not be afraid, and then explains why.
The reasons are stacked. I am with you. I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you. Each one is a statement about God's action, not about the situation improving or about the hearer's courage.
Notice the shape of the comfort. It is not an assurance that nothing hard will happen. It is a promise of presence and support inside what happens, which is why the verb uphold is there at the end.
That is a realistic sort of comfort for a difficult day. The fear is answered by who is with you, and the passage is content to leave it there.
Look Closer
Every reason given against fear in this verse is something God says about himself. Nothing in the verse depends on the strength or the confidence of the person being addressed.
Let Scripture Answer
Why is Israel told not to fear here?
Look in Scripture
- Isaiah 41:8-13
Work through the passage and mark every I will statement. Then ask what verse 13 gives as the closing reason.
Related Scripture
Joshua 1:9
Courage is commanded on the basis of God's presence wherever Joshua goes.
Psalm 46:1-2
Refuge and strength come first; therefore we will not fear comes second.
Hebrews 13:5-6
The promise of presence is quoted and applied to confidence.
Remember This
The command not to fear rests on God's presence.
Strength and help are promised as his action.
He holds the hand of the one he calls.
Today's Prayer
God, you know what I am afraid of today. I am not asking to feel brave. I am asking you to be with me, to strengthen me, and to hold me up as you promised. Amen.
Carry It With You
Read Isaiah 41:10 slowly and say back to God the one phrase in it you most need to be true today.