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. (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

I think we would all agree that life is an unpredictable mixture of mountain top, valley low and somewhere in-between seasons. Sometimes we enjoy an extended season at the top of the mountain. At others we find ourselves in the lowest of valleys, and for me 2017 was most certainly a valley time. During this particular year it seemed as though I spent more time visiting doctors and in hospitals than I did at home. It was however, during this personally difficult season while recovering from yet another surgery, I read a verse that spoke to me in a most profound way.

God Speaks to Us

I love that Scripture, written for the benefit of everyone, can also feel so incredibly personal as if God were speaking directly to only one person. God’s Word is like this. It is both revelational as it is in fact, His Word. But it is also personal as it is the primary way He speaks to us.

Interestingly, yet not surprisingly, it is most often during the valley seasons that we hear God speaking the loudest. This is because in seasons of distress we are more aware of our great need for God. It is also precisely in these times, we are also more apt to seek, pray and listen to Him. Writer and scholar CS Lewis explains it like this, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world”.

God’s Word to Me

The God who created us, is also intimately acquainted with us. This means He knows literally everything about us. He knows when we sit, when we rise, what we think, and what we’ll say. (See Psalm 139). He sees us, loves us, knows us, and has promised to always be with us. During my hospital stay, these truths became very real to me as I experienced God’s presence and heard Him speak personally and powerfully through His Word.

Five Outstanding Promises in Isaiah 41:10

Scripture tells us that, [God’s] promises are backed by all the honor of [His] name. (Psalm 138:2 NLT). This is why we can be certain that when God says He will do something, He most assuredly will. During a dark season in Israel’s history, God delivered a word of encouragement through the prophet Isaiah to His people. This ancient prophecy includes five outstanding promises that remain relevant to His people today. As you read through these statements make note that each one begins with God promising I am or I will.

I am with you.

This first promise is probably the most stellar of all of God’s promises. He is with us always, in all places, spaces, times and seasons. And because of this we never need to be afraid.

I am your God.

The all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing, all-wonderful God of the universe is also our God. And because He is our God, we never need to be disheartened.

I will strengthen you.

At various times and seasons throughout our life journey we all experience weakness. And it is precisely for and during these times we must cling to God’s promise to strengthen us.

I will help you.

Self-sufficiency eventually leads to inefficiency as we were not created to live independently from God, or others for that matter. The truth is we all need help and not just in times of crisis, rather daily. We can “go it on our own”; this choice is ours. Or we can choose the far greater and wiser choice by accepting God’s gracious offer for help.

I will uphold you.

In those times and seasons when life overwhelms us leaving us hopeless, we must remember that God has promised to hold us up with His righteous right hand. This is His personal guarantee, that ultimately we will not fall or fail as He will keep us standing tall.

A Shared Promise

I’ve chosen to end with a fond memory from my 2017 challenging season. It occurred at the close of church service as an invitation was extended for prayer. Still in the healing process, both physically and emotionally, I knew I needed to accept this invitation.

As I joined the group of people that had come forward for prayer, I found myself standing next to a sweet friend who had recently been on a challenging journey of her own with cancer. As my friend and I turned towards each other to pray for one another, we both recited Isaiah 41:10.

What I didn’t know at the time, was that God had used this same verse to encourage my friend during her difficult season just as He did me. As we held hands and recited the verse together, tears spilled from our eyes and gratitude filled our hearts. It was a holy moment and one I will always treasure.

Pray

Father God, thank you for your timeless Word that speaks to us. You are an awesome, perfect God, and yet you invite us to know you personally and intimately. Thank you for your promise to always be with us, strengthening, helping and upholding us. In every season you are God, and you are good. It is an honor to know and love you, Amen.

 

Extend grace to others!

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Community Question of the Week

Which of the five promises included in Isaiah 41:10, each beginning with Yahweh’s declaration I am or I will, is most meaningful to you and why? Encourage others with your response HERE!

Worship

Charity Gayle – Seed of Faith