“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.”
—Isaiah 43:1-2

Reflection

Hebrews 11, the great faith chapter of the New Testament, says that it was through faith that Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and so many others prevailed over their circumstances. These men and women were able to do great things without fear because they expressed faith in God’s Word and His promises.

As we walk in faith, we will be able to look fear in the face with the absolute assurance that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. We are to exercise faith in the supernatural acts of God and believe that He will always do what He says He will do throughout His Word.

The prophet Isaiah assures us, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine.” God continues, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Then He tells us why we do not have to fear: “Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you. Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 43:1-5).

Satan is adept at putting false mental pictures in people’s minds, images of all kinds of imagined happenings that are designed to arouse fear in our hearts.

Don’t believe these images even for a second.

Regardless of what we go through, God is with us. He is involved in our lives at every level. He cares so deeply about everything that affects us. He’s involved in all our circumstances, even when things look dim and hope is obscure. Hebrews defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

I experienced this battle personally after both of my daughters had serious car accidents within one month. The fear of them driving again became extremely intense. Satan put all kinds of false mental images in my mind that truly scared me.

One afternoon, overwhelmed by these fears, I fell asleep and dreamed that I was crying out to our congregation, “Pray for me, I need your help.” When I awoke, I discovered that during my nap a woman from the congregation had called. As she prayed, the Lord had put my face in front of her, and she began praying for me.

God heard and answered my prayer for deliverance from fear while I was fast asleep. As she prayed, I felt free from the fear that had been tormenting me.

Beloved, God is with us. He hears our prayers and He wants to set us free from fear. The Lord is faithful to His promises contained in His Word. He will never let us down.

Application

• Reject false mental images that arouse fear, and take your stand on what God has actually promised in His Word.
• Keep turning God’s promises back to Him through prayer, believing that He is with you and will strengthen you in your fight against fear.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know You love me and know the number of the hairs on my head. I know You do not want me to be afraid. Help me trust in Your love, believe that You are with me always, and take my stand upon Your Word. When false images of fear come, strengthen me to believe Your promises instead. As I do so, I pray that I would experience Your perfect peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing that through faith in Your Word I shall prevail. In the blessed name of Yeshua, amen.