Fear Not (Part 10/30) – God's Many Resources

God gives wonderful assurances and promises to the fearful here:

• His presence: "I am with you". When we have the feeling of being alone, or when we are actually alone, when no one understands us or feels with us - He is there!
• His faithfulness: "I am your God". We do not need to look around us in fear because every danger loses its terror in the awareness of God's great faithfulness. Incidentally, the fact that He is our God is set against the fearful looking around: He is greater than people who give us trouble, the problem for which there seems to be no solution, the illness whose outcome is uncertain.
• His strengthening: "I strengthen you." When our mental, spiritual, or physical strength fails, He gives us strength. Daniel experienced this when he had been plagued by fear for weeks: "And he said, ‘O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!’ So when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.'" (Dan 10:19). Incidentally, joy in the Lord is a source of strength (Neh 8:10).
• His help: "I will help you." The Lord knows that we cannot cope without Him. Just as I help my little son as soon as I realize that he cannot do something, our heavenly Father is always there to help. He doesn't always take the burden away, but He gives the help that is needed to carry it.
• His support: "I uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." We need to be supported when we cannot walk on our own. Just as a small child is supported when learning to walk so that it does not fall down, our Lord also supports us in this way.
• His holding fast: "I will hold your right hand." On the one hand, this speaks of familiarity and affection, as we can well understand when we see a father grasping and holding the hand of his frightened child. On the other hand, it also speaks of timely intervention as protection - as was the case with Peter, whose hand the Lord took to save him from drowning (Mt 14:31).

All this applies to the "worm Jacob" and the "little flock." This is reminiscent of Luke 12:32, where the Lord Jesus says: "Do not be afraid, little flock." Do you often feel just as weak and insignificant? Then you should know: These promises also apply to you and me!

The Lord takes a lot of time to give us plenty of reasons to trust Him without fear. Do you feel alone? His presence is the answer. Do you feel abandoned? His faithfulness is the answer. Do you feel weak? His strength is the answer. Do you feel overwhelmed? His help is the answer. Do you feel exhausted? His support is the answer. Do you feel insecure? His holding on is the answer.

The Lord Jesus tells you today: "You don't need to be afraid. Whatever is overwhelming you or whatever burden is weighing you down; I have the necessary antidote for everything."