“So 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, NIV}
With Us and for Us . . .
From an early age, I knew the companion of Fear. It was like a festering wound that spread to every limb. Fear shadowed me wherever I went, whispering lies that I was never enough.
Honestly, I was so used to feeling this way that I just assumed it was normal.
But then I opened the pages of Scripture. Only because a speaker at summer camp challenged us to read the Bible — alone for 20 minutes.
I didn’t know where to start. So I fumbled along and picked a random passage. It intrigued me so I read more. Then more and more.
Something transpired while reading God’s Word. A Presence enveloped me. And Fear left me. I didn’t have words for what I was experiencing. I only knew that I wanted to keep reading.
Eventually, I came across this passage in Isaiah, where God says He is with us and for us. He is our God. And He will strengthen us. Help us. And uphold us.
For twenty-five years now, I’ve known these words to be true.
When we seek Him with all of our heart, we find Him, and when He’s with us, He’s also for us, and Fear has no place in us.
I can’t say that I’ve never had a moment of fear since. But I can say that Fear must flee in God’s holy presence. God doesn’t promise to make our lives easy and carefree, but He does promise to be with us every single step of the way.
He is with us, friends. You can count on it. He will never leave us, and never forsake us. He will love us through whatever circumstance we face.
And then one day, we will see Him face to face . . . and spend eternity in the light of His presence.
Denise,”
I love this scripture..it is one I often go to. One translation of “I will uphold you” is that God will literally “attach us to Himself”. I love the image of God attaching me to Himself where I know I am safe from all fear that would harm me. What better place than to be close to His beating heart of love for me?? I’ve allowed some fear to creep in and so I needed this verse this morning!! I needed the reminder that He is faithful! Thank you…
Blessings,
Bev
Denise,
God is trying to tell me something lately. I’ve heard in a song “we are not given a spirit of fear but a power of love”. Then you post this very scripture-Hum?! I used to have a fear and last year I had a huge fearful spirit. Now God is telling me that He is in control and with me always!! So pray away that fear!! Thanks for the reminder!!
Have a blessed Sunday! 🙂
I am concluding my morning quiet time with God. What a perfect verse to carry with me this week. God is not only with me, He is for me. I need not fear what the week will hold. I can rest in Him and TRUST Him with thanksgiving for being present wherever I am. In His strength I can be who He created me to be. I pray for those who are living with fear today, it comes easy, as does worry and complaining, but I am asking God to stand guard over my mind, my lips and my heart that I might honor Him in all I do. Praise the name of Jesus! Thank you for sharing this today!
This is a comforting post Denise thank-you.
Thanks be to the Lord for his comfort, love, guidance and strength.
I pray for the fearful, that they too will feel the comfort of the Lord.
Penny
This is one of my favorite verses as well, one I come back to all the time. Thank you for sharing, what a blessing to start the week with the reminder that God is with me and for me.
Beautiful post, friend. A wonderful and oft needed reminder. XO
Fear is never a good companion. I went to a Christian school, I had to read Pilgrim’s Progress, at 12 or so, I didn’t appreciate it. As an adult I can’t forget how the devil dogged the footsteps of Christian, the main character. That’s the companion, fear is. It will follow you everywhere. Only God’s love can put Him behind you. And we all with Christ’s help can keep him there!
Denise, thank you for sharing these words today. I am grateful. I was told yesterday by these words, ” God did not leave you alone, here.” I was convinced in my heart that it was true but wanted to be sure it wasn’t just me thinking so as a result of the circumstances I was facing. So I said, Lord please confirm that you truly said so and it wasn’t just me. Thank you.