“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 started having some pain in my mid-back off to one side yesterday, and after speaking to an RN on the phone, it sounds like it’s probably my kidney causing the pain. Ugh, I despise getting old sometimes haha. Needless to say I have a doctor’s appointment in an hour from now to get it checked out.

A lot of people are afraid to go into medical offices these days due to COVID-19. No one wants to expose themselves to areas that may have been frequented by folks with the coronavirus, afraid that they may contract it themselves. I share that sentiment, and combined with whatever issue is going on with my kidney, this is a very timely verse for me, because God is telling me to “Fear not, for I am with you.”

This particular statement from God is from the book of Isaiah, and He’s speaking specifically to the nation of Israel. In verses 8-9 right before this, He addresses Israel as His servant Jacob, who He had chosen to be His holy nation and represent Him throughout all of the earth.

As you may know, Israel had a lot of difficulties actually taking their place and assuming the position of God’s holy people, and God had to discipline them throughout their history through captivity to other nations. But still, God reminded them that despite all of that and the trials they would go through, He would never leave them; and He would strengthen them, help them, and uphold them through it all, because God never goes back on His promises!

Child of God, you have been grafted into the holy nation of Israel as part of God’s eternal family once you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. What that means is that the promises to Israel, also in principle, apply to you. Yes there is biblical context where God spoke promises that were very specific to the exact situation Israel or others were in at the time He spoke, but God’s father-like (Abba) character and over-arching promises of His presence and help in times of need still hold true for all of His children. And in that we can rejoice and say, “Thank you Lord!”

As I go into my appointment today, I will walk in God’s presence, strength, and help, knowing that He is upholding me no matter what fears or anxieties I may have. He is gently whispering to me, “fear not.”