God’s Presence, Protection & Provision
Take hold of God’s Word and be courageous.
In his first inaugural speech in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the newly elected president of the United States, addressed a nation that was still reeling from the Great Depression. Hoping to ignite a more optimistic outlook regarding that economic crisis, he declared, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!" Note: The phrase “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” is found 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year.
Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something. It reveals our natural desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than supernaturally entrusting them to God's care and control. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise Biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands. The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. “Trust in the Lord is the cure for a fearful spirit,” Joe Stowell, Our Daily Bread.
We should not be a people who are anxious or troubled or worried or fretful about things that threaten our life and happiness. Isaiah 41:10-13 offers a powerful context. The mark of God's people is not incapacitating fear, but rather contrite courageous confidence in God.
There are three things God promises to us:
First, He promises His PRESENCE (verse 10). Here, God addresses words of encouragement to His people. Because of their relationship with Him, they do not need to fear anything. This is not positive thinking. Their hope is not in casting off negative thoughts. Their confidence is in what God promises to do for them.
Second, He promises them His PROTECTION (verses 11-12). We have no reason to fear because of our personal relationship with Him; He is our God. But who is He? Is He a helpless God? No, He is the “Great I Am." Every other being in the universe needs sustaining. He alone is self-existent, complete in Himself. He is our God.
The third thing we are reminded of is His promised PROVISION (verse 13). God says: “I am the Lord Your God. And I say to you, do not be afraid, I am here to help you.” When we think that God is absent, or doubt whether or not He will assist us, we need to stand firm on the foundation that God is with us, so we will not be overwhelmed by any assaults or tempests that trouble us.
By nature, we are timid and full of distrust, but we must correct that vice by this reflection: “God is present with us and cares for us.” How long will He be with us? Jesus promised His presence in Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” When you’re filled with fear, remember this truth, and declare it out loud: “I will have no fear because He is here!”
Here is a cute story: One summer night during a severe thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can’t dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room." A long silence followed. At last, it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!" However, when “Abba Father” is present, we really have no need to fear. He is our “strong tower, the righteous runs into it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Our God who “never sleeps and never slumbers” (Psalm 121:4) is always available to us.
So, the next time you feel anxious, take hold of God’s Word and be courageous. Your Heavenly Father has promised that “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). He calls us to serve Him out of a desire to fellowship with us and bless us – not to frighten or dominate us. Therefore, we need to trust in Him and experience a resounding victory over fear. Only when we trust the reality of God's presence, protection and provision for our lives can we share the joy God intends for us.
Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something. It reveals our natural desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than supernaturally entrusting them to God's care and control. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise Biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands. The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. “Trust in the Lord is the cure for a fearful spirit,” Joe Stowell, Our Daily Bread.
We should not be a people who are anxious or troubled or worried or fretful about things that threaten our life and happiness. Isaiah 41:10-13 offers a powerful context. The mark of God's people is not incapacitating fear, but rather contrite courageous confidence in God.
There are three things God promises to us:
First, He promises His PRESENCE (verse 10). Here, God addresses words of encouragement to His people. Because of their relationship with Him, they do not need to fear anything. This is not positive thinking. Their hope is not in casting off negative thoughts. Their confidence is in what God promises to do for them.
Second, He promises them His PROTECTION (verses 11-12). We have no reason to fear because of our personal relationship with Him; He is our God. But who is He? Is He a helpless God? No, He is the “Great I Am." Every other being in the universe needs sustaining. He alone is self-existent, complete in Himself. He is our God.
The third thing we are reminded of is His promised PROVISION (verse 13). God says: “I am the Lord Your God. And I say to you, do not be afraid, I am here to help you.” When we think that God is absent, or doubt whether or not He will assist us, we need to stand firm on the foundation that God is with us, so we will not be overwhelmed by any assaults or tempests that trouble us.
By nature, we are timid and full of distrust, but we must correct that vice by this reflection: “God is present with us and cares for us.” How long will He be with us? Jesus promised His presence in Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” When you’re filled with fear, remember this truth, and declare it out loud: “I will have no fear because He is here!”
Here is a cute story: One summer night during a severe thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can’t dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room." A long silence followed. At last, it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!" However, when “Abba Father” is present, we really have no need to fear. He is our “strong tower, the righteous runs into it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Our God who “never sleeps and never slumbers” (Psalm 121:4) is always available to us.
So, the next time you feel anxious, take hold of God’s Word and be courageous. Your Heavenly Father has promised that “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). He calls us to serve Him out of a desire to fellowship with us and bless us – not to frighten or dominate us. Therefore, we need to trust in Him and experience a resounding victory over fear. Only when we trust the reality of God's presence, protection and provision for our lives can we share the joy God intends for us.
Verse to Memorize
“For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13)
Pursue the Promises
Throughout 2024, every Monday morning by 7:00 AM, we will post a new video from Pastor Shane or an article written by a member of our staff that connects to that month’s featured promise. Learn more.
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