RIGHTEOUS HAND FROM ABOVE
ISAIAH 41:10
PASSAGE: “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 hand.”
I. THE WORLDLY REALITY OF HURT
A. Unfortunately, God never says that our lives will be free from pain,
suffering, or grief.
B. In fact, God knows that at times we become afraid, dismayed, or angry.
This short verse from Isaiah tells us as much. God knows this life is hard
and that there are disappointments.
C. Death is something that touches each one of us at different times. We all
experience grief. Even Our Lord grieved for His dear friend Lazarus when
he died. We all must face the loss of someone we love dearly.
II. GOD PROMISES HELP IN THESE HURT TIMES
A. God first promises strength.
1) When faced with the loss of someone we love: our spirits feel
weak, our emotions are weak, and even our bodies can become tired
and worn. God says He will strengthen us in such times.
2) Ephesians 3:16 records Paul praying that each of the believers
listening to his message would receive “strength through the power of
His Spirit in [our] inner being.” This is the strength God promises.
B. God next promises help.
1) Our God tells us time and time again in His Word that He is here
to help us. He is our shield (Psalm 28:7) in times when we are under
attack. He is our deliverer (Psalm 40:17) in times when we are poor
and down and out.
2) God also promises comfort when we are mourning (Matthew 5:4).
The Lord offers His aid to you today in your tears and in your grief.
C. God finally promises to uphold us: In days ahead, we will miss him/her.
We will grieve and may feel like we are at our wits end. Yet, the Lord
says He will uphold us and will keep us from falling.
CONCLUSION WITH PRAYER
