“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

Have you ever found yourself, amid life’s challenges, feeling as though the weight of the world is pressing down upon you?

In today’s world, marked by uncertainties, unrest and persecution, it’s easy to become burdened by concerns. When you add your personal struggles — financial pressures, the demands of parenthood, caregiving for aging loved ones, and health issues — it often seems like there's no end in sight.

It’s precisely during these trying times that God steadies our hearts. He is a strong and loving Father who tells His children not to worry or anxiously look about but to call out to Him and wait with humble expectation for the help He provides.

When you were a child, maybe you witnessed your earthly parents’ desire for you to grow up confident and secure. But even so, parents often experience the frustration of being unable to provide the specific help their children need. This is where God distinguishes Himself remarkably and gloriously, as often repeated throughout Isaiah:

“… For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9, ESV).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you …” (Isaiah 41:10).

God assures us of His boundless capacity and joy in helping us! The above scriptures brim with divine “I wills,” and it’s truly remarkable to understand that God doesn’t want us to be consumed by fear. Instead, He urges us to shed the weighty cloak of fear and dread, much like discarding yesterday’s worn-out clothes.

But how do we do this? When we look at the troubling things all around us in the world, how do we exchange fear for faith in our invisible Father? God encourages us to meditate on the image of being held by His hand:

“… I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

When life gets chaotic and we’re teetering on the edge, let's picture God right there with us, a caring Father steadying His child as she navigates rough and uncertain terrain. Instead of giving in to despair or frantically searching for help, let’s remember the promise that God is present, ready to help and support us. Then we can pray, calling out to our Father and waiting with humble expectation for the help He’ll provide.

As we read Isaiah 41:10 and so many other parts of God’s Word, we uncover the countless beautiful ways in which God supports His people. Let’s walk together in the hope and comfort of God’s upholding love today.

Heavenly Father, in times of doubt and fear, help us remember Your unwavering presence and pleasure in helping Your children. Strengthen our trust in Your righteous hand that strengthens and supports us through life’s challenges. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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For more about experiencing the comfort of God’s upholding love, join Kori de Leon in her six-week Bible study, Upheld: Meeting Our Trustworthy God Through Isaiah.

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Learn more about Kori’s ministry and role as the founding director of Adoring Christ Ministries at adoringchrist.org.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of Upheld by Kori de Leon. To celebrate this book, Kori’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, March 4, 2024.}

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Isaiah 40:31, “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (ESV).

What’s one challenge you’ve faced recently, and how do the insights from Isaiah help you find hope and encouragement today? Share your story, and let’s inspire each other with our journeys.

© 2024 by Kori de Leon. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks IVP Bible Studies for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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