Isaiah 41:9 KJV Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Believers are called to be like soldiers and we are engaged in war against our enemy, Satan. We are to fight our war standing in the strength and power of Christ. We will not do this until we know the character of God, that is, Who He is.
The place to start, is to know and understand that God chose you. He is talking about Israel but God has chosen those who will make up the bride for His Son (John 15:16). In verse 10 we find 5 promises that God makes to His own, 1) God is with you, 2) God is your God, 3) God will strengthen you, 4) God helps you, and 5) God upholds you with His righteous right hand. We will look at these 5 closer.
1. The One Who created the universe with His spoken word is present, with us. We have been given the Holy Spirit who is the one Who provides us with power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)
2. God is not a distant and uncaring God. He is your God, that is, He wants a personal relationship with you (Matthew 28:20, John 6:20, 1 Peter 5:6-7).
3. God will give you the strength you need.
STRENGTHEN– 55d (S N 553) – ames- properly, become firm, transitioning from a weaker to a stronger (more resolved) state…. this root can convey becoming courageous (winning over dismay) by HELPS Word-studies
To be dismayed is to lose all courage. The only way to be strengthened is to go to the Lord and pray, (Esther 4).
4. God will help you in your time of need –
HELP– 5826- azar – give aid (help) as it specifically corresponds to the need or situation; helper; assistance, “customized help” in a fitting correspondence. by HELPS Word-studies
I hope you grasp the help God gives us. He knows us and our situation so intimately that He customizes the help He sends us. Where does our help come from, Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come to the throne room (presence) of our (personal) God. We come to the throne of grace to obtain mercy (power to strengthen) to be helped. Only God can give help that meets our situation perfectly. Yes it may come through a person or series of events but in pray you know God is able and willing to help you.
5. God keeps you when your walk with Him becomes fearful.
Proverbs 3:25 KJV Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
The word “uphold” is communicating that God made up His mind to help you. You did not earn His help, He made the decision (Luke 22:31-32, Hebrews 7:24-25, 1 John 1:7,9).
How Does God Uphold Us
This means those of us who walk in and with Christ will encounter situations and circumstances that want to overwhelm us with fear, doubt, and cause us to lose sight of Who our Lord God is. It is at these times we are drained of all courage as fear fights to control us. To make these scriptures, which are alive and powerful, (Hebrews 4:12) become our reality we must be put in a place to stand on God and His word. Leaning on our own understanding and power just leaves us more confused and powerless. We go to our knees in prayer, standing on His faithfulness to His word, knowing He is our help in our day of trouble. We may start in fear but the Comforter, Holy Spirit, calms us and the peace of God guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:4-7).
Courage comes when we know God has provided the way out, the path has already been laid, gives the endurance to persevere, and the purpose is to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus the Christ.
When we reach that point where we will not live in fear we intimately learn,
Psalm 46:1 KJV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Bible Verses to read
Esther 4:16, Luke 12:11, 32, Acts 5:41, Ephesians 6:20, I Peter 2:20, Revelation 21:8, Proverbs 3:25-26, 28:1, Joshua 1:9, 18, 8:1, 10:25, Deuteronomy 31:6, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 3:14, 4:5-9, Isaiah 41:14, 51:12, Psalm 27:14, 31:24, 2 Chronicles 32:7
