Go! And Fear Not — For I Am With You - Isaiah 41:10
Introduction — Capturing the Moment
Have you ever been in a moment where fear gripped your heart so tightly that it felt like you couldn’t breathe? Maybe it was a doctor’s diagnosis. Maybe it was the sudden loss of a job. Maybe it was standing beside the coffin of someone you loved and thinking, “I can’t do this.”
Fear is one of humanity’s oldest emotions. From the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve hid from God, to this very moment in the 21st century, fear whispers lies: You’re alone. You can’t make it. There’s no hope.
But into the noise of our fear comes the voice of God — clear, steady, and unchanging:
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) — "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
Today, we are going to see why this verse is not just a sweet sentiment for a greeting card — it is a promise rooted in the unshakable character of God, fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and available to all who will repent and trust in Him.
1. God’s Presence: “I Am With You”
The first reason we are told not to be afraid is because God is with us.
Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, who were surrounded by threats — Assyria was a looming military power, idolatry was tempting the nation, and exile was on the horizon. Yet, God’s covenant people were reminded that His presence was their ultimate security.
The Hebrew phrase here, ?im-m?-?a ?anî — “I am with you” — is covenant language. It echoes God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 26:24), to Moses (Exodus 3:12), and to Joshua (Joshua 1:9). The Lord’s “withness” is not abstract — it’s an unbreakable commitment of His faithfulness.
Matthew 28:20 (NLT): "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Jesus’ promise to His disciples mirrors Isaiah’s. His presence is not conditional on our performance — it is secured by His own nature and His finished work at the cross.
Max Lucado wrote, “Fear never goes away completely, but it doesn’t get the final word when God’s presence is your reality.”
That’s exactly it — we may still feel fear, but when we remember who walks with us, fear loses its grip.
I once heard of a little boy walking home through a dark alley. He was trembling until his father appeared and took his hand. Nothing in the alley changed — but everything changed because of who was with him.
Christian, the “Father’s hand” is holding yours.
2. God’s Identity: “I Am Your God”
Fear shrinks when we remember whose we are.
In the Hebrew, ?elohe?a — “your God” — is possessive and personal. This is not just any deity — this is Yahweh, the covenant-keeping, promise-fulfilling Creator.
The people of Judah were surrounded by idols, powerless statues of stone and wood. God was reminding them that He alone was the living God who acts on behalf of His people.
Psalm 46:1–2 (NLT): "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea."
The stability of your life depends on the unchangeable nature of your God, not the changeable nature of your circumstances.
Charles Stanley once said, “When you have God, you have everything you need to face anything you fear.”
If He is your God, then the size of your fear is nothing compared to the size of your Saviour.
3. God’s Power: “I Will Strengthen You and Help You”
Our fear often comes from knowing our own weakness — but God does not leave us to our own strength.
The Hebrew for “strengthen” — ?ama? — means to make strong, to fortify, to give courage. “Help” — ?azar — is the same word used in Psalm 121:2: "My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NLT): "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."
Paul understood that God’s strength is not merely given when we are strong — it is displayed when we are weak.
John Piper said, “God’s purpose for your weakness is to glorify His strength.”
Your fear says, “I can’t.” God’s promise says, “I will.”
Think of David standing before Goliath. By human calculation, David had no chance — but he was not relying on human strength. He was standing in the power of the living God. Fear fell before faith.
4. God’s Victory: “I Will Hold You Up With My Victorious Right Hand”
The “right hand” in Hebrew culture symbolised power, authority, and blessing. The “victorious” (?edeq) right hand speaks of God’s justice and righteousness — He upholds His people and defeats their enemies.
John 10:28–29 (NLT): "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else."
The One who holds you has never lost a battle — and He never will.
Tim Keller said, “If you are in Christ, you are as secure as He is.”
When Jesus rose from the dead, your eternal victory was sealed.
The Gospel Connection:
This promise in Isaiah 41:10 finds its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He is God with us (Emmanuel). He is our God. He strengthens and helps us through His Spirit. He upholds us through His victory at the cross and the empty tomb.
We fear because sin has separated us from God — but at the cross, Jesus took our sin, bore our punishment, and rose again, defeating sin, death, and fear forever.
The Gospel is this: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. Whoever repents and believes in Him will be saved.
Call to Action:
If you are a believer — Walk boldly into tomorrow knowing the God of Isaiah 41:10 is your God. Preach this truth to your fear.
If you are not yet a believer — Fear is a warning light on the dashboard of your soul. It tells you that you are not secure without Christ. Today, repent of your sin and trust in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, you may be facing fears that I know nothing about — but God does. And more importantly, He knows your deepest need: to be reconciled to Him. The promise of His presence, power, and victory is for His children. Will you come to Him today? Will you trust Jesus — who died for you, rose for you, and offers you eternal life?
Benediction:
Go in the strength of the One who says, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you." May His presence be your peace, His power be your courage, and His victory be your song. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ guard your heart until the day you see Him face to face.
