Daily Devotion: Fear Not

Scripture:

Isaiah 41: 1-20

Main Verse:

Isaiah 41: 10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Observation:

Earlier today, my brother-in-law's wife asked me if I was worried about the escalating tension between the U.S. and North Korea. I told her that my family and some of my friends in the Philippines fear that World War 3 is imminent, but somehow, I don't really feel so anxious about it. She told me that she feels worried, and my mother-in-law even told me before that in case a war breaks out, it would be better to go back to my country where I will be safer.

Fear paralyzes us. Fear makes us afraid of the unknown, of what lies ahead. When we fear, we are limiting God's ability to take care of us and His sovereignty over all of His creations. But if we are in Christ, fear does not have a place in our heart and our mind. The safest place is to be with the Lord. All throughout the Holy Scripture, God has established that He is with us. His declaration that He is God is more than enough assurance for us to lay aside our fears! HE IS GOD! Man cannot harm us (Psalm 118: 6), and He promises to protect His children and all that calls upon His name (Psalm 91:14).

Application:

If we know that God is almighty and powerful, then we should not let fear control and consume us. The Bible lists the cowardly as equally bad as murderers, idolaters, sorcerers, and liars (Revelations 21: 8), and it is first on the list in this verse. When we fear, we do not trust God, and that in itself is sin. When we fear, we are showing God that we do not believe in His promises, that we do not believe He is capable of taking care of us, that He is sleeping, and that He will not be there to uphold us when we're in trouble. But God's promises are everlasting! He was, He is, and has always been faithful to His chosen people. "For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself." (1 Samuel 12:22). I have peace in my heart because the Lord has confidently assured me through His Word: If God is for me, who can be against me? The Lord is my protector and my peace, and Jesus Himself declares "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27). May you find comfort and peace in God's promises.

Prayer:

Almighty God and Faithful Father, your promises are everlasting. I shall not fear because you are my God, and you promise that not a hair of our head will perish. Thank you because you reveal Yourself in your Holy Scripture, and you have revealed your great and awesome power in the lives of your chosen ones. Thank you for the peace and for always staying with me. Thank you for your faithfulness in my life. Thank you for being with me. All honor, glory, power, and praises belong to You and Only You alone, my Lord. AMEN.