Read: Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Reflect:

What is it that brings up a sense of fear in your heart? We all recognize fear, but do we realize who is with us?

Fear Not? Will I live in fear when I know God is with me? The writer of Hebrews reminds us of where fear often arises – pursuit of money and a lack of contentment –

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Be not dismayed, for I am your God – Dismay is experienced when something unexpected creates distress for us. Don’t allow the unexpected to overwhelm you. God is God and He’s not surprised by our present circumstances.

I will strengthen you, I will help you – I thought of Paul’s words to the Philippians when he described his own feelings of what it meant to be hungry and what it meant to have more than enough. Paul said that he had learned the secret – his strength was in Christ and Christ alone (Philippians 4:11-13).

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand – God is bigger than my circumstances. He holds me in the palm of His hand. I can trust Him to see me through the unknown.

Respond:

Read that verse a few times and apply it to your own life and situation.