Fear Not: I Will Uphold and Hold Thee
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
12/17/2017 PM
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Text:
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Isaiah 41:10,13
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Psalters: |
92, 241, 185, 203 |
Confession of Faith |
- Divinely determined setting.
- The church of the Old Dispensation had many reasons to be afraid and dismayed at this time in their history.
- When Isaiah writes this the sincere believers were few and the existence of the nation was being threatened by Babylon.
- This was followed by Babylon invading Canaan three times, destroying the countryside and Jerusalem and killing many.
- During the captivity the sincere believers did not always remember God’s promise to limit the captivity to 70 years.
- Chapter 41 introduces a mighty world ruler (2,25) (Cyrus) who will conquer all nations.
- But Israel (and we) are told not to fear (40:9; 41:10,13,14; 43:1,5; 44:2,8; 51:7; 54:4) by focusing on God’s relationship to them.
- “I am Jehovah.”
- “I am … thy God” (13) and “I am with thee” (10; 43:2).
- How can God say this in light of the fact that the nation/church as a whole deserved severest judgment?
- The Self-existent and Self-sufficient Being has given Himself to them (and us) so all that He is being exercised toward us.
- This almighty Being filled with every perfection is with us in His essence and power.
- They are addressed as God’s “servant” (8,9), and as His “friend” (8).
- When we think of His relationship to us enable us to stand firm against doubts and fears of every kind.
- In His relationship to us, Jehovah God provides: “I will strengthen thee” and “Yea, I will help thee.”
- God portrays His care of His own in the figure of His hands.
- “I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”
- And He promises to “hold thy right hand.”
- “Many things about tomorrow I do not seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and who holds my hand!”