Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; ![fear]( "fear")
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.
So do not fear, for I am with you
Someone told me recently that there are 365 places in the Bible where we are told not to fear. When researching it, it becomes a little less clear that there are that many, but let’s be honest whether it’s 365, 100 or 45, that still means the Lord has a lot to say about the subject. Dictionary.com defines fear like this:
1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil,pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
2. a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling: an abnormal fear of heights.
3. concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone’s safety.
4. reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God.
5. something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension;something a person is afraid of: Cancer is a common fear.
I made the part bold that I think is so interesting, fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger – whether the threat is real or imagined. Real or imagined – fear is powerful. I don’t know about you, you’re probably a little more “normal” than I am, but I am often overwhelmed by fear. And I’m embarrassed to say that most of my fears turn out to be imagined fears. I’m afraid I’ll pass out when I speak in front of people. I’m afraid people won’t like me when I show up to a party. I’m afraid my work isn’t good enough. I’m afraid I’m failing my children (jury’s still out on that one).
Real Fears
Some of us are facing real fears. I was just contacted by a dear friend of mine asking for prayers for a 4-year-old who was trampled by a horse and had to be flown to the hospital here in Portland. Her grandmother works with my friend, and they are facing the fear of losing this precious little girl. And yet God says to us – Fear not. I understand that when I’m dealing with imagined fears, but when there are real threats to the lives of those we love, it’s not easy for us humans to behave that way.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
So when I pray for this family and the healing of this little girl, I’m going to trust in the last portion of the verse from above. I am going to pray that the Lord strengthens the girl and her family. That the Lord would be faithful to His words and help them. That the Lord would uphold them with His right hand.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/matt_redman/you_never_let_go.html ]
(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
(Chorus)
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
(Chorus 2x’s)
What are you afraid of?
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