THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD

Isa. 41:10

Morning Meditation 4/12/2013

"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."

John Gill says of phrase, "I will strengthen thee," "Not merely by his essence or power, who is every where; or by his providence supporting, preserving, observing, ordering, and overruling all things; but in a way of special grace, to guard and protect his people, support and supply them, comfort and strengthen their hearts; wherefore they need not fear any of their enemies, nor whatsoever they may be called to suffer for his name's sake, even though they pass through fire and water, and the valley of the shadow of death:"

When you read a verse like this, you know there are reasons to have fear. The Lord knows the weakness of His people and the strength of their enemies. Faith needs a resting place. It is not enough to know that God is in the vicinity. What His people need to know is, will God identify with them in this particular situation? Will He use His great strength to provide for their safety?

God is speaking to Israel through His prophet. He says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee. . ." There is no way that Israel can fail with God helping them. They have His promise in this verse. This is the way faith operates. Faith says, "Lord, be it unto me according to thy Word. We will go out in your strength. We will not measure the enemies strength against our weakness. We will rest our case with thee."

The word, "dismayed" means, "to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplused (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered:" God is urging His people not to gaze at the enemies power. This promise should answer all the arguments that will arise. If God says, "be not dismayed," it should take away all fear. Therefore God says, "fear not for I am with thee." We have His promises throughout the Word that He will be with us. Let's notice some of the promises that He makes to us.

WE HAVE THE STRENGTH OF HIS GRACE TO EMPOWER

Paul gives his testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

God should not have to speak again on this subject. He says, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Next we have,

THE STRENGTH OF HIS LOVE TO INSPIRE

2 Corinthians 5:14, "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:"

The supreme motive for our present service is brought out in the words, "For the love of Christ constraineth us." The word "constraineth" translates "sunecho" and means, "to hold together with constraint, to compress, to press together with the hand."

1 John 4:19, "We love him, because he first loved us." Next we see,

THE STRENGTH OF HIS ARMOR TO PROTECT

Ephesians 6:10-13, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Next we have,

THE STRENGTH OF HIS JOY TO GLADDEN

Nehemiah 8:10, "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Paul says in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Then finally we see,

THE STRENGTH OF HIS POWER TO QUALIFY

Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White