The Presence of Almighty God - Isaiah 41:10

The Presence of Almighty God – Isaiah 41:10

The presence of Almighty God empowers us surmount challenges, internal or external.  On any day, we confront issues relating to health, finance, marriage, family or job.  Naturally, fear overtakes us.  Sometimes, anxiety paralyzes us.  We are clueless about resolving these problems.  Moreover, we make fear larger than life.  We fail to see the solutions because we focus so heavily upon the dread.  Yet, Isaiah reminds us God is always present to empower us to triumph over adversities.  “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.” (Isaiah 41:10)

The preceding verse contains a lifetime of divine promises.  First, the Lord encourages us to forsake the fear we readily feel.  Fear and faith cannot coexist as darkness and light cannot simultaneously occupy the same space.  God, our Shepherd, leads and protects us.  His presence automatically eliminates worry. 

Secondly, He suggests we forsake fear because He is with us.  God’s presence comforts us.  The word, comfort, equals the combination of “cum” (Latin for with) and “fortis” (Latin for power or strength).  As a consequence, God’s presence always yields fortitude necessary to overcome hard times.  The first two clauses of this verse are amazing promises from the Creator of more than a billion stars with separate solar systems and galaxies to all believers with a mustard seed’s faith to receive them.

Further, God says, “I am with you.”  The great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14) is always with us.  God simply is.  He is everywhere.  It is therefore fallacious to pray and ask God to be with us.  “Be with us now Lord as we go into this surgery.”  Interestingly, God is already in the operating room before you arrive.  Instead, we ask the Lord to open the eyes of our hearts and minds so we see Him.  We need a greater revelation of His presence.  We may additionally require reassurance of His comforting presence.

“Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”  Essentially, the Lord says, “don’t fret.”  There are times when we throw a pity party.  We focus upon circumstances until they overwhelm us.  We engage in self-centered fear believing our problems are superlative to everyone else’s.  We resolve we have been dealt a bad hand.  The Lord reminds us to open our eyes and realize He is standing there, willingly giving confidence to face our daily struggles. 

Furthermore, He says, “I will strengthen you and help you.”  What an incredible access to power!  The maker of heaven and earth pledges His resources in resolving any dilemma.  God gives us what we need to be victorious.  Because He helps us, we put anxiety out of our mind.  We utilize practical techniques that enable triumph through a combination of His steadfast love and a sharp mind.  According to Ephesians 3:20, God aids us beyond our wildest imaginations, through strength of His Spirit at works within us.

The last section of this verse summarizes the foregoing remarkable divine promises.  God vows to uphold us despite the circumstances.  He pledges His loyalty solely on the basis of His righteousness.  “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  God carries us when we fall on the road of life.  When our strength gives out, we rely upon His power.  Elsewhere, Isaiah says, “He gives power to the weak and to them that they have no might, He increases strength.” 

An unknown author wrote a famous poem, “Footprints,” which vividly illustrates the immortal wisdom and encouragement of Isaiah 41:10.  A man realizes God never leaves anyone in the midst of trials.  Rather, God picks us up and carries us when burdens exhaust our resources.  Assuredly, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.  “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.”  What a wonderful image of a loving Father who takes the hand of a scared child and reassures him or her everything will be all right.