Isaiah 41:10 Fear you not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you… Many good people are full of fears. Bunyan says of Mr. Fearing, "He was a man that had the root of the matter in him, but he was one of the most troublesome pilgrims that I ever met with in all my days." Many things may help us to conquer our fears. I. IT IS WRONG TO FEAR. We are quite safe in God's hands, and fear is really unbelief. It dishonours God. II. IT PREVENTS US FROM DOING OUR DUTY. If a gardener is afraid to sow his seed he will have no flowers, or if the farmer is afraid to plough he will have no crop. If a boy is afraid it is of no use to try for the prize, he will not get it. Fear is ruinous to our work. III. IT DISCOURAGES OTHERS (Numbers 13:31-33; Numbers 14:1). Fear kept the Israelites out of the promised land. IV. IT IS UNNECESSARY. We are afraid because the dangers seem so great, or the work so hard, and ourselves so weal But we forget who is for us — more than all that can be against us. 1. God is with us. 2. God is our God. What a possession God is! (1) Vast. (2) Rich. (3) Secure. (4) Everlasting. 3. God will strengthen us as He did David and Samson. 4. He will hold us up by His right hand. Who then can lay us low? Away then with fear for ever. (R. Brewin.) Parallel Verses KJV: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. |
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