Honor God
Help People
Three Steps to Strength & Hope
March 29, 2019“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
1. CONQUER FEAR. Real help comes from God. Whatever you’re facing, God will help you. He knew fear is something we humans would have to deal with, so He tells us repeatedly throughout Scripture, “Do not fear,” and He gives us reasons why we don’t have to be afraid. We can trust Him with our relationships, with our thought life, with decisions we have to make, and with our health.
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
2. BUILD FAITH. Faith is confident expectation that what God promised He will accomplish. We’re called not just to survive or constantly be in recovery mode. We are more than conquerors – so we can help people. That’s why we go to God’s Word to see how He fortified and strengthened others in the past: The apostle Paul was called to reach a pagan culture; Daniel in Babylon advised many kings through multiple regime changes; David killed a giant and became king of a nation; Esther stood up for her people against the schemes of one man; and Moses led an entire nation out of slavery.
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. . . The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:13-15
3. ACT ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE. Just like the great men and women of the Bible, we are called to stand up to the fears, challenges, and weights we encounter and to follow through and take action corresponding to our beliefs. There is more for us to do. There is more fruit for us to bear. Take seriously the responsibility to maintain momentum in your heart by shaking off fear, building your faith, and moving forward!
Press on!
Pastor Jeff
DAILY CONFESSION:
God gives strength to the weary and to those who are weak He increases power. I hope in the Lord and He renews my strength. I will soar on wings like eagles. I will run and not get tired. I will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:29-31).
up·hold, verb
To support or defend, as against opposition or criticism. To keep up or keep from sinking; support. To lift upward; raise. To maintain in good condition; take care of.
Copyright © 2019 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. “uphold.” Random House Unabridged Dictionary. Web. 26 Mar 2019
