Fear Thou Not

MARCH  5

Fear thou not.

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.  Isaiah 41:10

The Lord’s people are prone to fear; because they do not realize

their relation to God,

their interests in the promises of God,

and that they are always in the presence of God.

How graciously our God forbids our slavish fears, and encourages confidence in Himself! Our slavish fears dishonour Him, or filial confidence glorifies Him.

He loves to be trusted; He is grieved by our doubts and fears.

We should fear nothing but sin; and if we fear sin, follow holiness, and preserve a conscience void of offence toward God and man; if we live upon His word, daily use the open fountain, and cultivate communion with God, we can have no cause to fear.

Beloved, leave anxiety, distrust, and slavish fear, to the poor godless worldling, but trust thou in the living God always, and everywhere.

Hope in God; wait upon God; expect from God; follow hard after God; and all you want will be given, and all that will injure you will be frustrated.

Be not afraid, only believe; Jesus is with thee, and will preserve, bless, and keep thee;

therefore “Fear Thou Not.”

And art Thou with me, gracious Lord,

To dissipate my fear?

Doest thou proclaim Thyself my God,

My God for ever near?

Then farewell, anxious gloomy cares,

Since God forbids my soul to fear.

James Smith