"FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH THEE"


A. "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." - Isa. 41:10
  1. Beloved, these words must stand out as an expression of God's unspeakable love to men:
    1. This love was demonstrated in the life and the infinite sacrifice made for us on Calvary - Rom. 8:31-36
    2. They reveal that our God knows the fears that beset us while we are in the flesh - John 16:33
  2. What are some of life's experiences that send or bring fear into our hearts?
    1. We live constantly in the fear of death; no one is exempted - Matt. 4:16
    2. Said the Psalmist, "When the waves of death compassed me" - 2 Sam. 22:5
    3. Even the Son of God experienced this fear. Of Him it is written, "The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow." - Ps. 116:3
    4. The fear of never meeting our loved ones again. Who can deny that this fear plagues the soul when we stand beside the graveside of a loved one!
    5. The fear of leaving this world unprepared. It is awesome to contemplate eternity unprepared!
B. GOD'S CONSOLATION AND ASSURANCES
  1. "I am with thee":
    1. This knowledge ought to remove all fear out of our wounded hearts.
    2. For if God is with and for us, we have the greatest security we can have - Rom. 8:31-36 EXAMPLES -
      1. Daniel and his friends - Dan. 3:17; 6:22
      2. Joseph in Egypt - Gen. 39:21
  2. "I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness":
    1. That means that the Lord will not allow us to be harmed by any experience that may come to us. The trials of Job did no harm to him.
    2. What a wonderful consolation such promises are to the bereaved!
    3. They bind up the wounded heart - Lam. 3:31-33
C. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE WONDERFUL PROMISES OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, AS REVEALED IN OUR OPENING TEXT
  1. "Fear not" -- These are familiar words, heard by God's children from our blessed Saviour:
    1. "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" - Matt. 10:31
    2. "Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men" - Luke 5:10
    3. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" - Luke 12:32
    4. "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt." - John 13:15
    5. "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." - Matt. 14:27
  2. "For I am with thee":
    1. "They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" - Matt. 1:23
    2. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." - Ps. 23:4
  3. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." - Isa. 40:1
    1. This comfort will come to fruition when the dead in Christ shall come forth out of their dusty graves - 1 Thess. 4:13-17
    2. When this mortal shall put on immortality - 1 Cor. 15:51-55
    3. When God shall wipe away all tears from the faces of His saints - Rev. 21:4
    4. When the family, broken up through death, will be reunited on the resurrection morning. Compare Jer. 31:15-17 with 2 Thess. 2:1-3
  4. What more can a compassionate God say to heal the wounded and broken hearts?
    1. He knows our sorrows and grief because He experienced them - Isa. 63:9
    2. He himself died of a broken heart to bind up the brokenhearted.
    3. Let us take His word and rest assured in His eternal love.


Design © John Bryant 2011