Fear Not

"I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you: 'Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I Myself will help you!' declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel!" Isaiah 41:13-14

What is more helpless than a child without its mother's hand! Reader, what is more helpless than you without Christ! You can neither stand nor walk alone; but "God, who takes hold of your right hand, says to you: Do not fear; I will help you!"

He will help you . . .
against sin;
against Satan;
against the world;
against your own evil heart.

He will help you . . .
when you are weary;
when you are downcast;
in the time of trial; and
in the hour of temptation.

He will help you to understand;
He will help you to pray;
He will help you to fight;
He will help you to avoid the snares;
He will help you to despise the vanities of this poor world.
Ah, my fellow-sinner, this help is promised, because you need it all.

What a world of temptation, sin, and danger — what a world of darkness and confusion you live in! There is none to help you — none to teach you — none to lead you on your way — but Jehovah Jesus. Do not be afraid! He will hold you by the right hand, saying, "I will help you!"

Do you say, "The way is long — and I am weary. The road is dark — and I have no light. Temptations are many — how shall I resist them? I need grace — where can I find it? Oh, how shall I persevere?"

Afflicted soul! Is there no Helper? Is there none to pity? Is there none to guide? Where is your heavenly Father? Where is Jesus? Where is the Comforter? Where is He who feeds His flock like a Shepherd; who gathers His lambs in His arms, and carries them close to His heart? (Isaiah 40:11.) Where is He who has promised to hold you by the right hand, saying, "Do not be afraid — I will help you!"

Lift up your eyes to the hills, from whence comes your help. Your help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Fear not! (Psalm 121, Psalm 146:5)

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"Fear not, I have chosen you!" Isaiah 41:9, 10

Christian reader, God says to you, "I have chosen you!" This is a great mystery — but it is a comforting truth. God does not tell you WHY He chose you. He only tells you the simple fact. It is not for you to question it, or to shrink from it — but to receive it, and be thankful.

God was free to love you — or free to loathe you.
He was free to choose you — or free to reject you.
He says, "I have chosen you!" Believe what God says, and rejoice. "Before the mountains were brought forth, before He had formed the earth and the world," God had chosen you! "From everlasting to everlasting, He is God." From everlasting to everlasting He loved — He chose — He delighted in His people.

Fellow-sinner, if God says, "I have chosen you," He says it . . .
to encourage you;
to strengthen you;
to sanctify you;
that you may rest upon the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure,
that you may look away from self, and see that salvation is altogether of the Lord.

God chose you, "not according to your works; but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given you in Christ Jesus before the world began." (2 Timothy 1:9.)

Fellow-sinner, you are . . .
loved in Christ;
chosen in Christ;
called in Christ;
saved in Christ!
Here is your foundation; here your hope; here your safety — you were "chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world!"

This is to humble you — as well as to exalt you.

This is to make you weep — as well as cause you to rejoice.

You are vile in yourself — but chosen to indescribable honor!

You are poor in yourself — but chosen to unspeakable riches!

You are naked in yourself — but chosen to eternal glory!

Child of God, never lose your hold of this precious truth. God has revealed it, that you might delight in it. Let this be the brightest jewel in your crown — this the sweetest cordial to your heart — that God says to you, "Fear not, I have chosen you!"

As you sit at the feet of Jesus;
as you lay your mouth in the dust, and cry, "Unclean, unclean!"
as you take all the shame to yourself, and give all the glory to God,
let this comfort delight your soul —
God has said, "Fear not, I have chosen you!"

"God chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world!" Ephesians 1:4 (nlt)

"Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!" Luke 12:32

Reader, are you one of the redeemed flock — the "holy flock" — the "beautiful flock." (Jeremiah 13:20, Ezra 36:38.) Then the good Shepherd says to you, "Fear not!"

I know not what your worldly means may be. You may have to work hard for your bread, and have a large family depending on your labor. Perhaps you have known better days, and the bread of your humiliation may have a bitter taste. You may have had great great expectations which came to nothing. Schemes of ambition, or prospects of gain, may have been blighted. Promises of advancement may have failed. Your whole life may have been one chain of trials:
trials of poverty;
trials of bereavement;
trials of disappointment;
trials enough to break your heart —
if it were not stayed on Jesus. But fear not!
He has words of comfort to cheer you!
He has gold tried in the fire, to make you rich!
He has honor and privilege, to make amends for all your trials!
He says, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!"

You may have lost much that you once possessed. You may have failed to have all that you desired, or expected to have. But, child of God, think what it is to have the Kingdom of Heaven!
Who is rich — if you are not rich!
Who is happy — if you are not happy!
Who is honorable — if you are not glorious!
Fear not, child of God! Fear not poverty. Fear not trial. Fear nothing which makes you feel your dependence upon God.

Envy no man of his possessions, his honors, or his pleasures. You have far more than he has!
Earthly riches make to themselves wings and fly away — but your riches endure forever.
Earthly crowns are corruptible — but your crown is incorruptible.
Earthly pleasures are but for a moment — but yours are eternal pleasures at your Father's right hand. (Psalm 16:11.)

But, reader, the Scriptures tell us that we must go through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22.) But your "light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Corinthians 4:17.) Before long, through sustaining grace, you shall sit down with Christ on His throne." (Rev. 3:21.) Child of God, remember the promise; obey the precept; think of the heavenly Kingdom, and fear not!

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"Fear not, for I am your God." Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, Christian brother! All things may be against you here — but God is your friend. You have traitors within you — and foes without. It may be, you have troubles in the flesh, as well as in the spirit. Yet there is a solace for every trouble, and a balm for every wound — the High and lofty One says, "I am your God!" Oh, my friend, this is a mighty word. The Great I AM, Jehovah, God Almighty says, "I Myself am your God!"

Fear not, then — the Lord Himself is your God:
your God to save you;
your God to keep you;
your God to teach you;
your God to bless you.

He says, "I am your God!"
God is light — and God is love.
God is power — and God is grace.
God is wisdom — and God is strength.
God is mercy — and God is righteousness.
God is faithfulness — and God is truth.
Fear not! Christian brother! This light and love; this grace and power; this strength and wisdom; this justice and mercy; this truth and faithfulness — all, all is yours — for all is God's; and God is yours! "This God is your God forever and ever. He will be your guide even unto death." Psalm 48:14.)

Christian reader, what power can harm you!
What foe resist you!
What grief overwhelm you!
What temptation be too much for you!

The Lord of life says, "Fear not, for I am your God!"
Treasures of knowledge;
fountains of grace;
rivers of comfort;
towers of strength;
countless delights —
are hidden in this precious word, "I am your God!"
Remember it — and be strong; forget it — and you are weak.
Feed upon it — and be joyful; neglect it — and you are faint of heart.
Jehovah-God is yours! Christian brother, Fear not!

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you!" Isaiah 43:1

Reader, if you are a true believer, then however humble, however feeble, Jesus says to you, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you!" If you are Christ's, then . . .
the Law shall not condemn you;
sin cannot have dominion over you;
Satan cannot claim you;
death cannot destroy you;
the grave cannot retain you;
and Hell cannot receive you!
Christ has redeemed you! Fear not!

Once . . .
you were the slave of the devil;
you were the servant of sin;
your home was the land of darkness;
your inheritance was the pit of Hell;
your soul was ruined;
your freedom was gone;
you had sold yourself for nothing;
you had nothing left but misery and sin.
But fear not! You have a Redeemer; the Lord Almighty is His name. Fear not!
The ransom price is paid.
Divine justice is satisfied.
Satan is forever vanquished.
Death is overcome.
Salvation is finished.
You are redeemed by Jesus!
Never shall your heavenly inheritance be taken from you.
Never shall your chains of sin be riveted again.
Jesus says, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you!"

Child of God, what a redemption is yours! Never was inheritance redeemed at such a cost; nor liberty recovered at such a ransom! The precious blood of Christ — this was your ransom price! To redeem you, Jesus gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. To redeem you, He hid not His face from shame and from spitting. To redeem you, He suffered the bloody sweat, the crown of thorns, and the accursed tree!

Say, believer, has Jesus suffered thus for nothing? Was it to give you a half salvation — an imperfect redemption! This were to give you no redemption at all. Nay — but the redemption is perfect; the inheritance is incorruptible; the glory is sure! Christ has . . .
redeemed you from sin;
redeemed you from death;
redeemed you from Hell;
redeemed you from Satan!

Oh, remember that His precious blood has redeemed you also from your life of vanity, and from all the false pleasures of this wicked world. (1 Peter 1:18.) To be "made free from sin, this is redemption. To become the servant of righteousness, this is liberty. (Romans 6:18.)
Glory in your redemption.
Glory in your liberty.
Glory in your privileges.
Glory in your duties.
Glory in your obligations.
Child of God, Christ says to you, "I have redeemed you!" Then, fear not!

"Fear not, I will uphold you!" Isaiah 41:10

Reader, are your footsteps ready to slip? Has your prayer been, "Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip." (Psalm 17:5.) How precious then the promise, "I will uphold you!"

You find by experience that you must have grace for every moment — more grace — fresh grace — abounding grace. The battle of yesterday, must be fought again today. The race of today, must be run again tomorrow. Fellow-pilgrim, there is no rest for you while here in this poor world! You must fight, and fight again; run, and run again — looking to Jesus. Fear not! God will uphold you. He will uphold you according to His word. (Psalm 51:12, 119:118.)

Has the enemy prevailed against you? Are you smarting from your wounds? Ah, my friend, the enemy will never cease to harass you, nor your heart to mislead you, while you are in this sinful world. Temptation will follow temptation; snare will follow snare. But, fear not! God shall uphold you!

Grace shall flow to you from the wounds of Jesus; from the heart of Jesus; from the glory of Jesus. Out of His fullness, shall you receive grace upon grace. (John 1:16.)
Grace to fight;
grace to run;
grace to persevere;
grace to conquer!

Fear not, fellow-pilgrim! The hand that laid the foundation of the earth — the hand that spanned the heavens — is pledged to uphold you!

Fear not! "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" — not to uphold you in your own strength; but that God may be glorified in His eternal purpose, and in His free grace. Fear not, fellow-sinner! God has promised. He will not leave you to run alone, nor to fight alone. Wait upon Him, and He will renew your strength.
If His Word could fail — then He may forsake you.
If His love could cease — then He forget may you.
If His covenant could be broken — then He may not uphold you.
But this cannot be! "Fear not, I will uphold you!"

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"Fear not! I will strengthen you!" Isaiah 41:10

Blessed promise, "I will strengthen you!" Who gives the promise? Jehovah Jesus! To whom is it given? Powerless believer, it is given to you! To you it is said, "Fear not!"

You have . . .
a war to wage;
a race to run;
an enemy to watch;
a victory to gain.
Your own strength is nothing. Even an angel's strength would not suffice you. You must be clothed with power from Heaven; you must be armed with God. I would not underrate your own weakness; I cannot overrate the strength at your command.

Are you a child in Christian experience? A child in faith! A child in grace! A child in power! Fear not! Out of the mouths of babes has God ordained strength, that you, my fellow sinner, may still the enemy. (Psalm 8:2.)

You are weak in yourself — but strong in Christ! This must be your motto, and your consolation. You have no strength of your own. Look not for it. Your own heart is too much for you; you cannot master it. How, then, could you fight with Satan and prevail! How often have your lusts entangled you — and your evil tempers humbled you! You have looked for power — and behold leanness! You have looked for strength — and there was none! Have you prayed to God — yes, thrice besought Him — to take your weakness from you? Ask it not. His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in weakness. Glory, then, in your infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon you. (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9.)

Fear not! Surely in the Lord you have righteousness and strength. God shall strengthen you with might by His Spirit in the inner man. He will be the strength of your heart, and your portion forever. (Isaiah 45:24; Ephesians 3:16; Psalm 73:26) Only believe! Only be persuaded of your own weakness. When you are weak, then are you strong — then are you able to do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Fellow sinner, fear not! (2 Corinthians 12:10; Philippians 4:13.)

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"I have loved you; fear not!" Isaiah 43:1-4

Child of God, what a word of comfort you have here! "Ah," say you, "if I only knew that God loved me? — even me — I would be happy."

Reader, do you love God? If so, it is a proof that God loves you, for it is written, "I love those who love me — and those who seek me early shall find me." (Proverbs 8:17.) You love God — because He first loved you. (1 John 4:19.) Not that your own heart moved you to love God, because He loved you; but because God loved you, therefore He gave you a heart to know Him, and to love Him. He loved you with an everlasting love, and therefore with loving-kindness has He drawn you. (Jeremiah 31:3.) Had God not loved you, you would have been in darkness still, and the love of God would not have been in you.

Say not, "I am vile that God cannot love me!" Say not, "I love God so little, that He cannot love me!" If you have love for God as a grain of mustard seed, it is God's gift; it is God's work. You could not have had it, unless God had given it. He gave it because He loved you; and because He loves you, He will love you to the end. Fear not!

God does not only love you if you are perfect. He only asks you if you are a broken-hearted sinner, looking to Jesus, desiring to love Him, and serve Him all the days of your life. You have often forgotten Him. Like Peter, you may have denied him. Yet if, from the depths of a contrite heart, you are able to say, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you," (John 21:17.) this proves that God is saying to you, "I have loved you; fear not!"

Contrite sinner, God says, "I have loved you." He means you to believe it, and to rejoice. "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it." (Canticles 8:7.) The many waters of your sins, and all the floods of your ingratitude, cannot make your God and Savior cease to love us.

Christian reader, were I to ask for you the greatest blessing that God has to give, it would be that you might "know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge." The more you know the intense love which He bears to you, the more will you love Him — the more shall you be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19.) He says, "I have loved you!" Then fear not.

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"Fear, not, since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you." Isaiah 43:4

Fear not, child of God! It is well to feel your own unworthiness — but not to be disheartened by it. Fear not! "Black" in yourself, you are "lovely" in Christ; and your beauty is perfect through His loveliness, which He has put on you. (Canticles 1:5. Ezekiel 16:14.) Honor and majesty; glory and renown, He has prepared for you. In the day that He makes up His jewels, you shall be His. (Malachi 3:17.) You are dear to your Lord and King; precious, indeed, to the heart of Jesus. For you, He left His glorious throne. For you, He suffered the cross and shame. Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you, through His poverty, might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9.) Surely you are precious to Him; surely you are honored. Fear not, child of God! Humble yourself to the dust. Confess your sins. Forget not your short-comings. Go softly by reason of your indwelling corruption.

Yet remember this — you are honored by name — a child of God. Honored in your new nature — born of God. Honored in station — a king and priest to God. Honored in your inheritance — an heir of God, and joint heir with Christ. Made nearer to God than the angels; clothed with God's righteousness; made partaker of His nature; indwelt by the Spirit; free, at all times, to the throne of grace; risen again with Christ; one with Christ in the glory of His kingdom — child of God, are you not honored? "This honor have all His saints." (Psalm 119:9.)

But, let the beauty of the Lord your God be upon you! Let your honor be seen upon you! Like Jabez, be honorable in your thoughts, words, and deeds! (1 Chronicles 4:9, 10.) Kingly in your birth — be kingly in your bearing. Heavenly in your destination — be heavenly in your desires. Are you glorious within — let your clothing be seen, that it is of wrought gold. "Riches and honor" are yours, "yes, durable riches and righteousness!" Child of God, bear your honors meekly. Yet, fear not! (Psalm 45:18, Proverbs 8:18, 21.)

Reader, if you are a child of God, you have experienced both the lights and shadows — both the joys and sorrows, of the Christian life. Fear not, my friend! The Lord is not far from you, though you perceive Him not. If you have not the pillar of fire with you, yet have you the pillar of the cloud. Fear not! God is in the cloud.

Fellow Christian, in the darkest day of your desolate heart, God is with you: He says, "Fear not!" Oh, reader, if you have God with you, what more do you want! Is there any longing, which His presence cannot satisfy? Is there any void, that He cannot fill? Has death deprived you of your dearest friend? Is your earthly protector gone from you, never to return?

Well, your heart knows its own bitterness. But He who knows your every sorrow, and weighs your every care, says, "Fear not, for I am with you!" As you range through the deserted chamber; or as your eye rests upon the empty chair; in the dead of night, when your desolation haunts you; or when, rising in the morning, you go forth to realize your loss — hasten to fill the void with the thought of Him, who says, "Fear not, for I am with you!"

Are fresh cares opening upon you? Are fresh temptations threatening you! Be strong, and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8.) God says, "I am with you!" Then, fear not! Seek to realize the presence of your never-failing Friend. The true way to face danger; to resist temptation; to silence doubts; and to hush your fears — is ever to remember who has said, "Fear not, for I am with you!"

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"Do not be afraid of sudden terror" Proverbs 3:25

"They were overwhelmed with fear, where there was nothing to fear." (Psalm 53:5.) This is a description of the wicked.

Child of God, it ought not to be the case with you. God says, "Fear not." Of what, then, are you afraid? Have tidings reached you that the pestilence is near? Does the footstep heard at night — a sudden noise — alarm you; as though a violent man would assault your dwelling? Do wars, and rumors of wars — scarcity of bread, and diminished means, affright you? A panic seizes you, that family will suffer poverty — that ruin awaits you! Child of God, where is your faith? Where is your God? Where is He who covers you with His feathers? Can you not trust beneath His wings? (Psalm 91:4.)

Chide, then, your trembling heart, and say, "I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday!" (Psalm 91:5, 6.)

I mean not, Christian reader, that none of these things can come upon you. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. (Psalm 34:19, Hebrews 12:6.) The midnight robber — the pinching famine — or the wasting pestilence — may visit you! The lightning's flash may strike you, and the thunder sound your death knell!

But God bids you to fear them not. They cannot touch you — without His bidding! Have they a commission to hurt — they have also a charge to bless — they shall be as the harbingers of mercy to your soul. Sudden trial — shall be attended with sudden strength. Sorrows in life — shall bring grace to live. The messengers of death shall bring grace to die, and waft you on their wings to glory.

Reader, are you not sometimes afraid, and you know not why? Faith fails, and you cannot account for it. The promises pass from your mind, and you cannot recall them. The ground on which you stand, seems to sink under your feet. "A horror of great darkness" has fallen upon you. It is "sudden fear." My Christian friend, there is only one remedy for it — you must take it to Jesus. He will soon restore your peace. Courage shall return to your heart, while He says, "Fear not!"

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"Fear not! You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart." 1 Samuel 12:20

Penitent, sorrowing backslider, here is a word for you. Fear not! Painful are your thoughts; bitter are your self-reproaches; your "sighs are many," and "your heart is faint." (Lam. 1:22.) The morning brings to light your misery; and the night reveals your shame from you. Restlessness has overtaken you; your happiness is gone. How are you fallen from your peace! Degraded in your own eyes — you feel cast out by God.

Fear not! my penitent friend. From my heart I pity you; as a fellow-sinner, I feel for you. My own heart responds to your heart, saying, "Unclean, unclean!" My brother in corruption! My brother also in the love of Jesus — peace be to your conscience, and comfort to your broken spirit! Strength be to your feeble knees, and to your arms that hang down! (Hebrews 12:12.) Listen to the voice of Jesus, my sorrowing brother. Yes, listen again. Does not Jesus speak to you? Does He not say, "Fear not!"

Is it anywhere written in the Word, that there is no pardon for the backslider? The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin:
from scarlet sins,
from numberless sins,
from backsliding sins!
Fear not, poor afflicted one! You accuse yourself — but Jesus will not accuse you. You weep bitter tears — but Jesus will wipe them from your eyes. Your tears are precious to Him. Your broken heart is a cordial to the heart of Jesus. In your troubled conscience He sees of the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. (Isaiah 53:11.)

Dear brother! Yes, still a brother — still a disciple — still a child of God — look up to Jesus! He is looking upon you, smiling on you, waiting for you. What do you say to Jesus? "I have sinned against the Lord." What does Jesus say to you? "The Lord also has put away your sin!" (2 Samuel 12:13.) Take it not to heart if Jesus thrice says, "Do you love Me?" Can you say, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you?" (John 21:15-17.)

Fear not, brother — but listen to the Word. "Turn, O backsliding children, says the Lord, for I am married unto you; I will heal your backslidings!"

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you!" (Isaiah 44:22)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness!" 1 John 1:9