Estes Echo

Be Not Dismayed

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” –Isaiah 41:10

I often find myself relying on the illusion of the world, that somehow I am the master of my own destiny and that I have the capacity to upset the revolution of the celestial bodies. While it is true that God has given man the supremacy of choice, the aptitude to make decisions, and in many ways feel dominant; things still do not continually go our way. No matter how many times I think I am in charge, God reminds me that I am but a pilgrim traveling through this weary land, the master of naught excluding my ability to choose.

When we bow to God’s authority with humility and a spirit of service, we find ourselves content even when things go wrong. When we elect to love and trust we find ourselves blessed beyond measure. One of the most challenging lessons in life to absorb is to not be fearful and anxious, to let go and be still and know that He is God. Isaiah tells us to fear not because God is with us and, more significantly for us, God will strengthen us in our times of weakness. God will support us and, most importantly, he will uphold us with his righteous hand. Whenever I feel weak, whenever you feel weak, summon up the knowledge that your strength comes from God above.

Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” The writer of Romans echoes Isaiah with the understanding that when God is for us, nothing and no one can be against us. God strengthens us, and the concerns of this life will not prevail. My favorite part of Isaiah 41: 30 is “be not dismayed, for I am your God.” I challenge myself and the church at Estes to not be dismayed; we have an all-powerful God, believe in Him!

–Steven Marise