This verse was shared last night by my pastor, Jim Cymbala, at our New Year's Eve service. Although we do not know exactly what the future may hold...or even if tomorrow will come...there are some key things that we will definitely experience within this next year. Pastor went on to share three specific key things we will experience, and I want to share them with you!
1. We will be attacked by fear, apprehension, and anxiety.
But God says..."Do not be afraid"..."for I am with you". We will never be alone. God is always
right there. Fear paralyzes. You cannot walk in fear and have faith. It's either one or the other.
They cannot coexist.
2. We will be dismayed, or discouraged.
But God says..."Do not be dismayed"..."for I am your God". Whenever we experience fear, we
become dismayed. To be dismayed is to be overwhelmed; to not know what to do; to be
discouraged. So in Isaiah 41:10, God knew the process of our emotions. He knew that at some
point we would face fear, and that it would in turn dismay us or overwhelm us or discourage us.
"DON'T BE AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU.
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD"
3. We will fall down or grow weak.
But God says..."I will strengthen and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand".
God promises that He will be OUR God...He will bend down, pick us up, and hold us safe in His
right hand. He promises to strengthen us and to help us.
"I WILL STRENGTHEN AND HELP YOU.
I WILL HOLD YOU UP WITH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND'
God's promises are true, because He is Truth. His word is solid and faithful. God will come through for each and every one of us. All we need to do is remember God's promises and allow Him to lead our life. We need to turn to Him in prayer the moment we feel fear. The moment we are discouraged. The moment we are weak and feel that we are going to collapse. Turn to God...as the first choice, not the last resort.
I look forward to the things that God has in store for all of us in 2013. May God continually bless each and every one of you. Remember His promises...Remember that He loves you so much...and Remember to go to Him when you are afraid, sad, or weak. He will be there...He will be YOUR God...and He will strengthen you.
