Sunday, September 9, 2012

Isaiah 41:10,13

" 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' 'For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.' "

In tones very similar to the encouragement He gave Joshua upon entering the promised land, the LORD here assures Israel of His presence, power, and help. Like Israel and Joshua, we too feel outnumbered and overwhelmed at times. Yet, His Holy Spirit within us promises sustained strength regardless of opposition.

The LORD God speaks here to two ongoing temptations (both in Israel's relationship to the nations around her, and to our interaction with the world and its system): fear and idolatry. Israel was not to be intimidated, nor was she to look to any of their idols for "help."
How needed a word is this for us as believers--- may the Lord strengthen our resolve to neither fear our world, nor be too fond of it, either.

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