How to Face Fear Faithfully

Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will also help you,
I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Eighty times in the Bible God says to His people, “Fear not.” To this day some seem not to have received the message. Or having received it, they appear to argue with it with such lines as, “But God, you don’t understand how bad things are.” Or, “God, things are worse than they have ever been!” We often inventory the difficulties for God. Reality would snatch us up by the nape of the neck and remind us of the line, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11: 6).

Now our text, Isaiah 41:10 – – –

* The Rational

When this was written Cyrus had enjoyed an unprecedented victory over God’s people and precipitated turbulence over the land by imposing his laws which were contrary to the laws of God. Sound familiar?

Isaiah records the Lord as having said . . .

* Do not be afraid.

Fear paralyzes reason. Bible knowledge is the antidote to fear.

Faith works against such obstacles as:

1) past failures, 2) present difficulties, 3) the silence of God.

Three times “fear not” appears in our brief text. Great honor belongs to all to whom God spoke these words. If you are one of His children, that means you.

The expression “fear not” indicates God wants you to live on terms of personal intimacy with Him.

* Don’t be dismayed.

The word dismayed refers to a sudden complete loss of courage, to become utterly disheartened. When the text says, “Don’t be dismayed” it simply means, “Don’t give up and quit.” Does that sound like your current address? Are you living at the corner of “Give Up” and “ I Quit” streets?

The resources:

* I am with you.

It is exciting to think God never takes His mind off you. 

* I am your God.

Let God be God.  If He is the loving God scripture asserts Him to be, and which the experience of many of us confirms Him to be, then He has a purpose in what He is allowing in our life. Faith is confidence in His character.

* I will strengthen you.

This is not a reference simply to natural strength, but to Supernatural. He enhances our ability and increases our capacity.

* I will help you.

After strengthening us, He additionally comes to help us.

Now it is up to you to apply these resources and move to “I Believe” street.