Do Not Fear

Background:

The October 16, 2011 devotional in Open Windows, (the 75th year of publication by Lifeway, an SBC entity) dealt with the topic of fear. It was timely for me and prompted me to share my thoughts on the verses through my blog. Admittedly, I needed these verses today and I believe God pointed me to them through the devotional for just that reason. Hopefully it will be meaningful to you as well.

Scripture:

Isaiah 41:10-13 (NIV)

10 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.

11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.

12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.

13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

In these verses God very specifically deals with His children’s (and my) unnecessary fears. Whether those fears are real or imagined, God says He is with us … even in the darkest and toughest of times. We should not be “dismayed” because He is in control and will “strengthen you and help you.” It is through God’s righteous right hand, His power, His might, His righteousness, that we will be delivered through our trials.

Reflection:

Trusting in our own strength in perilous times is such a feeble approach to life when we have the All Powerful Jehovah God as our protector. God tells us very emphatically do not fear and I, for one, intend to trust Him for that promise. I like the wording for Proverbs 3:5-6 found in the Good News Translation (GNT) of the Bible.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.

6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right way.

Oh Lord, forgive me for letting myself fall prey to unnecessary fear. I know that You are in control, you know my every need, and You will guide and protect my every step in accordance with Your plan and Your will for my life. Amen.

About jimdavenport

Jim Davenport resides in the USA in Northeast Georgia, is a member of a Southern Baptist Church and is a retired Christian business man. Jim and his wife Charlotte have one son and daughter in law, Keven and Amy, four grandchildren – Ashlyn (Davenport) & Josh Murphy, Mason & Rebecca (Knight) Davenport and four great-grandchildren. Jim and Charlotte own a mountain get-away home located on Lookout Mountain in Alabama where they spend many spring, summer and fall days working in their raised bed organic garden. Jim has served as a Deacon and Trustee in his local church most of his adult life and on the Executive Committee and Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees of Shorter University, an intentionally Christian institution located in Rome, Georgia. Jim has a passion for the word of God and has always believed that Christian principles should guide every aspect of his life. He also loves Christian music and often served as a tenor soloist in his church. One of the highlights of his life was the nearly 20 years he spent singing with The Good News, a Southern Gospel quartet. Jim served as an Information Technology professional his entire working career of 50 years holding senior positions in and consulting with hundreds of world-class organizations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand. Jim remains as President and CEO of InfoSys Solutions Associates, Inc. and is a retired partner of IT Governance Partners, LLC, both of which are “Trusted Advisor” technology and business consulting firms. Jim has authored a number of books available at www.jimdavenport.me/jims-books. His blog has ben read by readers from more than 170 countries. Jim holds both a BS and an MS in Mathematics from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia and completed Management Development Training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

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10 Responses to Do Not Fear

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Randy says:

October 17, 2011 at 6:22 am

Great thoughts, I think we tend to teach that Christians are not walking with God if they have fears or doubts. Certainly this is not a Godly view. Thanks for your insight.

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Jim Davenport says:

October 16, 2011 at 8:15 pm

John, your insights are always right on in what I am trying to communicate through my blog. I know that you and Judy have faced really tough times this year with Judy’s health. The two of you, and Judy in particular, have provided me great inspiration as you continue to trust the Lord and keep such a positive attitude. God bless you, my brother.

Jim D.

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John and Judy Hayes says:

October 16, 2011 at 7:04 pm

Jim,
Another great message. I truly appreciate a message regarding fear since all mankind will experience fear during their lifetime. One of my favorite scriptures deal with how to respond to fear. “Yea though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil.” When you trust God, he will replace your fears with confidence and peace of mind. The only requirement is your belief that he can do anything but fail.
Thanks for your encouraging words.
John and Judy Hayes

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jimdavenport says:

October 16, 2011 at 5:33 pm

Thank you Carolyn! Your comment is so appreciated and encouraging.

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Carolyn Barden says:

October 16, 2011 at 4:49 pm

A very timely blog- we are all gripped with fear from one thing or another. Even our nation right now with the Occupy Demonstrations- we fear the violence these could bring to our cities. Safety, health, financial, etc. all concern us and sap our energy whem we take it on ourselves to worry about them. To let go and let God be in control is our prayer but actually letting Him take over our emotions is quite a step of faith we don’t take easy. Thank you, Jimmy, for your thoughts and bringing to mind what we need to do each day- Take one Day at a Time and Let God have his way with our lives. Bless you.

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