"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you." Isaiah 41:10

Here we have one of the many comforting "fear nots" in the Scriptures. When we say to a little child, "Don't be afraid," or to an adult, "Don't worry about it," we mean good for that person. But we often don't have the power to make the threatening thing go away. The dark room is still there. Our friend still needs the surgery.

But when our Lord says, "Do not fear," He has the power to either make the source of our fear disappear or to calm our quaking hearts so completely with His presence that our fear seems to have left us, and we are at peace.

"I am with you," says our Lord. Everywhere, every second, He knows where we are, and He is there to sustain us.

Since He is our God, we need never be dismayed. He gives strength; He helps us; He upholds us with His righteous right hand. With His divine power Jesus Christ defeated Satan and all his cohorts. Nothing can harm His redeemed, whom He purchased with His own precious blood. His victory is our victory. His promise holds: "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I will not fear, for You are my Savior. You will help and strengthen me. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 20, 35-36    Colossians 4

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