“Fear not, for I am with you.”— Isaiah 41:10
Do not be afraid.
Relentless headlines about natural and human disasters make us wonder about the state of our world. Affliction, anxiety, and fear of the future attack us.
Through His prophets, God repeatedly warned the children of Israel that it was time to turn back to Him, repent, and restore their relationship with Him.
But they had set in motion something that could not be stopped, and soon they faced disaster. Their entire way of life was destroyed as Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian army conquered Jerusalem, and the people were taken captive.
The people cried out to the prophet Jeremiah, asking him to tell them what to do and even promising to obey what he said. God’s message to His people was this: Do not run away to Egypt! Don’t try to escape the political upheavals, war, and hunger. Remain in the land. Stand fast.
“If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you,” the Lord promised (Jeremiah 42).
God calls us to stand fast, not run away to the world or hide and protect only our own interests. It is time for a revival! We can’t cling to the comforts we have at the expense of our relationship with the Lord. Our lives have grown so complicated. God is calling His church to simplify our hearts and lives to an attitude of prayer, worship, serving one another, and demonstrating His love.
As God calls us to repent and return to Him, He also assures us just as He spoke to the children of Israel long ago:
“‘Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands. I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land’” (Jeremiah 42: 11-12).
Lord is telling us, “Do not be afraid.”
Don’t run from the Lord, from fellowship, accountability, and the issues at hand. Don’t despair. Don’t fear the future. Turn to Him and allow Him to carry you through whatever is ahead. Whatever you now fear, put it in the hands of the Lord, for He says most clearly:
“Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
