FEAR NOT

ISAIAH 41:9-20

INTRODUCTION

What is here said of Israel, the seed of Abraham is also true of those who are His spiritual seed. The children of God by faith. These promises are made to “my servants who I have chosen” (V.8-9). If you are a servant chosen of God, “You love God and are called” (Rom.8:28) “Fear Not”. The one true God moves history for His people. God assures His people that He alone is guiding all events in human history for His glory and for their own benefit. God rules supreme even in nations that are under Satan like Kenya. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to rule his vast empire he had many “personalities” he could be found in different places at the same time!! God, however, is sovereign omnipresent. He argues for His sovereignty over history and the terrifying inadequacy of all idolatrous hopes (41:1-7). God assures His people that they have nothing to fear amid the turbulence, He is stirring up in history. As people of God, we have every reason to be fearless.

Let us learn:-

I.  FEAR NOT- I AM WITH YOU (V.10)

• I am ‘with you as your shield and great reward (Gen.15:1)
• The children of “Jacob” the offspring of Abraham the friend of God- God secures His people.
• God will never leave nor forsake his children (Heb.13:5)

1. Fear not- I will strengthen you (v.10)

• God is the strength of your life whom should you be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
• Created “Creators” cannot save (5-7)

1. Fear Nor- I will help you (V.10)

• There is no help like His. (Psalm 118:13)
• Our God is our helper and shield (Psalm 33:20)
• Our God is a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)
• Our God is our Ebenezer “Thus far the Lord has helped (I Sam 7:12)
• Our God’s help is marvellous (2 Chron.26:15) King Uzziah was marvellously helped until he was very strong.

1. Fear not – I will Uphold you (V.10)

• The right hand of His righteousness will stay you up.

1. Fear not- I will defend you.

• They that war against you shall be as nothing and as a thing of nought (V.12)

1. Fear Not- I will use you (V.15)

• “I will make you a new, sharp thrashing instrument.”
• Every redeemed and consecrated soul will be a new instrument in His hand.
• You will thresh “The Mountains” and crush them.
• You will make “the hills like chaff.”

1. Fear Not – I will be Glorified in you (V.16) Jer.9:24

• “You will rejoice in the Lord and shall glory in the Holy One of Israel”

II.  HOPE FOR THE NEEDY (ISAIAH 41:17-19)

The “needy”- who are they? “the needy” in this context are the most hopeless of all mortals- look at them:-

1. Lamentable failure.

• The poor and needy seek water, and there is none.
• They are keenly conscious of their need, they are “poor”
• They seek a common mercy- “Water”
• They seek for it where it cannot be found “There is none”
• They have been seeking for it until “their tongue fails for thirst”
• The poor are desolate and disappointed, poverty is lack of choice.
• The poor pay more for services than the rich!!
• “The common salvation” is as plentiful” and as cheap as water.
• Yet many needy souls are seeking it where “there is none” in their own hearts, prayers and works.

1. Inspiring Promises.

• Israel was not asked to dig wells in the wilderness, they were to drink from the smitten rock.
• Salvation is of the Lord. To “the poor and needy” promises are given:

1. “I will answer them”. God is the only answer to the cry of humanity (V.17)- Look unto Me, and be ye saved.
2. “I will open rivers in the bare heights (V.18, Jn.7:37-39)
3. “I will plant in the wilderness the cedar- in the desert the fir tree and the pine” v.19

• God will never allow the human heart to be satisfied by that which is false and human.
• Humanism has completely failed man. Man falls short.

III.  GOD HONORING RESULTS (V.20)

• Our transformed lives are a testimony to others of the good hand of our God upon us.
• When instead of thorns and the brier, there comes up the fir and the myrtle it is a sign everlasting (Isa.55:13)
• “ That they may see and know, and consider and understand together that the hand of God has done this” v.20
• When others see what God has done for us “ Many shall see and fear, and shall trust in the Lord (Psalm.40:3)

CONCLUSION

• Fear not, the Lord is in control of the Nations and human history is ordered by God Himself.
• God acts in history, in both judgement and salvation for His own glory.
• History displays the character of God-everyone will ultimately acknowledge- (Isa.45:22-23) every knee shall bow, every tongue confess- heaven, earth and under the earth.