GOD PROMISES TO UPHOLD US
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 41:10
Why are there so many promises about fear? Could it be because we human beings are so prone to fear? It’s something I’ve struggled with my whole life. I bet many of you have, too. That’s why God gives us these wonderful promises to carry us through any and all fear.
“I am with you,” Hebrews 13:5. God promises He will always be with us no matter what. It’s a promise He makes many times in various ways.
“I am your God,” as our God, our Master and Lord, He will give guidance, provision and protection. As His servants, we are to trust, obey and serve Him. In medieval days the lord was responsible for his people. He would lead them wisely, provide for their needs, and be there to defend them from danger. That describes God as our Lord. The people under the medieval lord were to put their faith in their lord and do whatever he asked. That’s how we should respond as well.
“I will strengthen you,” assumes we are weak and needy. Unless we recognize our weakness, we won’t turn to Him for help. The longer I live as a Christian, the more I become aware of my inability to do anything without Him. The good news is that I don’t have to – He promises enough strength for whatever I need. It’s all His doing, working in and through me.
“I will help you,” assumes we will not sit back and let God do everything for us. We must do our very best while always realizing it is God’s strength working in us.
“I will uphold you,” assumes we would fail without Him – which we would. We never have to fail or fall because He always promises to uphold us when we turn to Him for strength and help.
“With My righteous right hand,” reminds us God is holy and just, therefore He can’t and won’t do anything wrong. “Right hand” refers to His power and authority to do what is right. God can and will do the right thing in our lives. We can count on it!
Isaiah, who wrote this, faithfully served God for over 50 years. He was persecuted by his fellow Jews. They rejected and mocked him and his message. Tradition says he was cruelly martyred. Through all of that, though, he had these promises from God, the same promises we have today.
God gives us strength when we need it – not ahead of time. The Jordan River parted when the priests’ feet hit the water, not before (Joshua 3:8-13). The mouths of the lions were shut when Daniel was in the lion’s den, not before (Daniel 6:21-22). God will give us what we need to face whatever He has for us: illness, grief, pain and suffering, even death (Psalm 23:4).
“Do not fear” is a promise for us, but is also a command for us. God can command it of us because of His promise to be with us through it – whatever it is. Think of it this way, God’s commandments to us are also His enablements for us.