Fearless

Tom Barnard

 

“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)

 

“Thou wilt be near me, Father, when I fall,

For Thou has called me now to be Thy son,

And when the foe within me may assail,

Help me to say in Christ, ‘Thy will be done.’

This ever calms, this ever gives me rest;

There is no fight in which I may not stand,

When Christ doth dwell supreme within my breast,

And Thou uphold’st me with Thy mighty hand.”

Jones Very (1813-1880)

 

I don’t remember ever having met a truly fearless man or woman. Some came close, but not quite. being fearless allows for little wiggle-room. You either are, or you are not…fearless. It’s a little like being sinless or guiltless. You either are, or you are not. I don’t remember ever having met anyone who clearly fell into either of those categories, either. But this devotional is not about sin or guilt; it is about fear.

 

What did Isaiah have in mind when he wrote those inspired words: “So do not fear…do not be dismayed”? Was he speaking figuratively or of a standard too high for us to seek? Neither. He was speaking of a standard too high for us to attain on our own.

 

Isaiah’s point was not just about us. Isaiah’s point was about God! Isaiah had a vision of God that was superlative. He saw the Lord God Almighty as One “seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple” (6:1). Isaiah spoke of a powerful, everlasting, eternal Father who keeps his promises to his children—a Father who saves and keeps and protects. This is the God who repeats his admonition in 43:5: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you!”

 

Heavenly Father, you know how difficult it is for me to see myself ever reaching the point of being fearless. But I know that is exactly what you want me to be. I also know that this is impossible for me to accomplish on my own. So I affirm your commitment to me and accept your help. I place my future in your hands. I trust you will not let me fail. I accept your promise by faith and believe that you have already started to build my hope in you. I voice this prayer in the strong Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.