Do Not Fear

Good Morning,

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
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.

For many of us...probably ALL of us...there are times when we become very afraid; feel weak; feel that we have nowhere to turn. For some these feelings are fleeting and pass just as quickly as they come. For others of us, though, these feelings come and then they linger for much longer periods of time. Life is difficult for many of us even at the best of times and for those of us who do have ongoing and seemingly unending difficulties, these periods of fear and feelings of weakness are with us every day.

However, we don't have to cling to those feelings that come to us and even seem to overcome us. We have a place to turn and someone to turn to. We can turn to God. He is always there for us. He can take away our fears, if not the situations that cause those fears. He can strengthen us in the toughest of times in our lives. He will help during the trials we must go through. He will hold us in His "righteous right hand" (the NLT puts it, "my victorious right hand") at all times, no matter what we're going through.

This IS, truly, a promise from God Himself not only when Isaiah wrote these words, but for all time and for all who accept the Lord into their lives. It's something that we really do need to remember and hold on to during the hard times that come so regularly for some of us.

Now, that being said, I'd like to take just a moment to address those who DON'T seem to have much difficulty or trial in their lives. First, I certainly hope, if you are one of these, that you give thanks every moment of every day that God has blessed you in such a way. Secondly, I feel that YOU have a responsibility as a Christian believer to be God's helping hand to those who are suffering through difficulties. I don't mean only when someone comes to ask for help in some way, but that you LOOK FOR AND SEEK OUT THOSE IN NEED OF YOUR HELP! We, you and I and every believer, have a real and true responsibility to be God's eyes, ears, hands, and feet to help in any way we can wherever we see the need.

I believe strongly that THIS, helping those who are in need and giving strength to those who are weak, is, truly, our responsibility and duty in service to a loving God.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David