Isaiah 41:8-14

I Will Help You

Isaiah 41:8-14
"But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For 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.

Comment

God's people, as personified in Jesus Christ, are reckoned as mere worms on the earth. Their humility goes even below the ground and they are reckoned by the world as those to be trampled upon. While on the cross Jesus meditated upon Psalm 22 part of which says, "I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'" Ps 22:6-8 And indeed the Lord does rescue His people, though "we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22

Frequently in the Bible we find God telling his people to not fear. That is not to fear the circumstances or people of this world. For God promises help in times of trouble. But while these may be a source of encouragment we must also take to heart that these words are commands. It is not an option in the Christian life to be fearless of people and circumstances, it is a command to which we are obligated to submit. Women particularly are prone to fears, but as God alludes to his people being sons of Abraham, just as Paul mentions in Galatians 3:7 "Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.", so also of women, "You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." 1Pet 3:6

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources