"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFRAID OF SERIOUS ILLNESS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFRAID OF SERIOUS ILLNESS"

Isa 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isa 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:

1. God spoke these words to the people of God who were still in exile, but, God was telling them that He was going to release them in the future, and that though they were in difficulties now, blessings were coming. He was also through Isa, comparing Himself to the idols of the nations, and to many other things of pagan life, and showing how much greater He was then them. So, that's a little bit of the context and background to these 2 very comforting and encouraging verses.

2. In these two verses, the phrase, "Fear not" is uses twice, and several other very specific words of encouragement are used to help comfort the people in their fears and worries, and concerns. But, mostly their fears are what God was trying to help them with. And, today, there may be some of you who are afraid of serious illness, that you are worried may come, or may be seemingly happening to you now, or may be taking place in your body at this very moment.

3. Let's take a closer look at what God says here.

(1) God tells His people "Fear Not" or do not be afraid, don't give into fear, and here's why. Because I am with you. God was saying that because He was with them, and I might add, that He is with you if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. He goes on in Isa 41:10 to say a number of other things.

(2) Be not dismayed, which means, don't allow your situation to cause you to look away from God. Keep your eyes on Him, don't be dismayed. And, again a reason for this instruction, "For I am your God. Dismayed is when we take our eyes off of the Lord, and begin to focus primarily on the circumstance we are are in. It's a sure way to sink further into fear and discouragement. Keep looking at God no matter what is happening.

(3) I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Those are exactly three reasons ( count them ) that God gives to encourage His people not to be afraid, and not to be dismayed. Strength will be given, God will help, and uphold His people.

This is a promise from God that You can claim for Yourself this very day. In fact, may I encourage you right now to talk to Him about this promise and let Him know that You want His help, that You need it at this time in Your life. By the way, the ref to "My righteous right hand" I believe is a ref to Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God's throne.

(4) And, in Isa 41:13 God identifies Himself as the LORD. This is one of God's Names, and it is the name Jehovah, which means, "the existing one" That's how He describes Himself, "the LORD" He has always existed, and will always exist, and He exists at this very moment.

(5) Lastly, the LORD make this promise. And, by the way, He also says "Your God" He belonged to them, and they belonged to Him. Just as He belongs to You, and You belong to Him. Here's what He says. It's two things actually. "Fear not, I will help you" Again, God tells His people who were clearly in need of hearing this "fear not" because they must have been fearing. He tells them, do not be afraid, fear not.

Don't let this take over in your life. Choose not to fear, but choose to trust God. And, then He finishes by saying, "I will help You" Or "I'm here to help You" Which means, to support You, to cause you to be helped. How personally in love our God is with His people, and what a good father He is. How caring and attentive He is.

A prayer:

Lord, Your Word causes us to be up-lifted, and to be encouraged. It raises our spirits, lifting us up and out of despair, and away from fear. Thank You for there is nothing else, nor is there anyone else who can do what You the LORD can do. There is no one like You, the "Existing One" Who else has always existed, and who else makes promises and cannot lie.? No one LORD, except You.

Lord, help us to claim these promises for ourselves today. It's been said, the believer does not live on explanations, but on promises. Help us today to live on Your promises. Thank You LORD. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.