Mission Venture Ministries

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. (Isaiah 41:10)

In this verse God is speaking with tenderness and is promising us; fear not, for I am with you. The first thing that the Lord wants to impart to us through this verse is that He doesn’t want us to be afraid, because, “I am with you.” He is with us at all times, everywhere we go. Just like God told Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). And Jesus said, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

As Christians, we have a heavenly Father who promises to be with us in our struggles and is completely reliable. He knows what will happen before we do; nothing is hidden from His sight (Hebrews 4:13). God sees in the darkness of troubled times as clearly as in the daylight (Psalm 139:11-12). Through His Spirit, He offers us the comfort, strength, and wisdom to persevere.

The story of Joseph in Genesis 39 vividly illustrates this truth. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he was falsely accused by his master’s wife and imprisoned. But in the midst of those terrible times, the young man experienced God’s presence and favor.

Joseph probably did not fully comprehend the Lord’s intentions. But later, as second-in-command to Pharaoh, he understood God’s purpose in allowing those difficult years. In the end, Joseph testified to what he knew to be true: His brothers had meant to harm him, but God used all the hardship to accomplish His good plan (Genesis 45:4-8; Genesis 50:20).

When troubles hit, remember God’s word is true, therefore, take heart. The indwelling Holy Spirit has the resources to provide what we need, equip us for any challenge, and sustain us with His presence throughout the dark days. Nothing can stop the purposes of our Lord from being carried out (Isaiah 14:27).

We all pass through dark valleys; however, one truth remains constant: God is always present. Some face darker valleys than others like the young men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19-30), but God’s Word sustained them, and sustains us, and we need to draw near to Him, no matter how dark or challenging our valleys are. In Psalm 23, we also read about how our Good Shepherd is with us in the most difficult times. Not only is He with us, but as verse 4 states: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

When we don’t get the answers we long for, it shakes us. Our disappointment can sink us into despair, or anger. Even the oldest and most Spirit-filled soul struggles at times to understand all of our heavenly Father’s purposes and ways when they are under tremendous stress.

We need to remember that when we do not trust in God and instead let fear overtake us, it brings turmoil in our hearts and minds and we will not be able to think properly which will lead us to make mistakes. Instead, we need to surrender our fear to God and trust Him that He will do what is best since He always does. Like a father who protects his children, so is God who will protect us from evil and harm.

We need to be thankful for Jesus’ words: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Therefore, “be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

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