Such Reason to "Fear Not"

Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. Yes, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

How can you not love words like that? I read them, memorize them, remind myself of them and they are such sweet words of life to me! Can it get sweeter? Praise His Name (which I discovered is Elohim in this passage) it can!!

I spent time in this verse this morning. I pulled out "Strong's Concordance" and dug into the original Hebrew words. I am constantly amazed at how limiting the English language is. Despite our many words, we only paint in water colors the awesome brilliance of the Word of God. Consider these definitions and how much more depth they cast in an already magnificent masterpiece.

"Elohim" - The Supreme God of gods, the Sovereign Authority Who mightily created all that is, the Triune God Who spoke (or perhaps sang) the world into being.

"with" - The Hebrew word is 'im (5973). It means to accompany, as long as, beside, before and (from 6004) to associate or to overshadow by huddling together. How profound!

Fear not for I, the Creator of all, am with you, accompanying you as long as you are. There's no reason to be afraid. I am beside you, before you, overshadowing you as We huddle together!

"dismayed" - Hebrew sha'ah (8159) meaning to gaze about (for help), as one looking around in amazement or bewilderment.

Don't gaze about you in bewilderment. Your help is right here. I spoke the world and all that it contains into being with just My Words. I am your God!

"strengthen" - 'amats (553) which means to be alert physically or mentally, to be courageous, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger, fortify and prevail.

"help" - 'azar (5826) to surround, protect, aid.

"uphold" - tamak (8551) to sustain, keep fast, help, follow close, retain or hold up (with a reference to 8543 - just as He did yesterday and the day before that and the day before that).

My God will make me physically strong and courageous. He will cause my mind to be stedfast. I will be fortified and I can prevail! He has promised to come to my aid and protect me. He reminds me again that He surrounds me. He will sustain me and keep me held fast - just like He did yesterday and the day before that. Hindsight always gives me a truer picture of the incredible strength and dexterity of His righteous right arm!

O Creator God, these words give life to my heart and soul! You have proved them true to me over and over again! You say fear not because there is nothing to fear! You've got me covered. When I look back at who I used to be and the situations that You have sustained me through, I see Your mighty strength everywhere! As You remind me of that, there is no need to gaze about for help. My help comes from You, O Lord, and I feel Your courage well up within me once again. Thank You for the precious gems in Your Word. Thank You for challenging me to mine them! I love You, Lord!