The Lord told Israel to “Fear not!” through His prophet Isaiah. As the Jewish remnant faced the challenge of the long journey home and the difficult task of rebuilding, they could think of many causes for fear. But there was one big reason not to be afraid: The Lord was with them and would give them success. In this section of Isaiah (41.10,13,14; 43.1,5; 44.2,8) the Lord seven times says “Fear not!” to His people and He says “Fear not!” to us today.
God seeks to calm their fears by assuring them that He is going before them and working on their behalf. Peter reminds us, “cast all your fears on Him, because He cares for you.”
God is not afraid of the nations because He is greater than the nations; He controls their rise and fall. He announced that He would raise up a ruler named Cyrus, who would do His righteous work on earth by defeating other nations for the sake of His people Israel. Cyrus would be a “shepherd” “anointed” by God, a “ravenous” bird that could not be stopped. “He shall trample on rulers as on mortar; as the potter treads clay” (41.25). Isaiah nowhere calls Cyrus “God’s servant,” but Cyrus did serve the Lord by fulfilling God’s purposes on earth.
Sometimes we forget that God can use even unconverted world leaders for the good of His people and the progress of His work. He raised up Pharaoh in Egypt that He might demonstrate His power, and He even used wicked Herod and cowardly Pontius Pilate to accomplish His plan in the crucifixion of Christ. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wills” (Pr.21.1).
In spite of their past rebellion, Israel was not cast away by the Lord. The Jewish captives did not need to fear either Cyrus or Babylon, because Cyrus was working for God, and Babylon would be no more. As you read Isaiah, you sense God’s love for His people and His desire to encourage them to trust Him for the future.
When God forgives and restores His people, He wants them to forget the failures of the past, witness for Him in the present, and claim His promises for the future. Why should we remember that which God has forgotten?
God formed Israel, forgave His people their sins, and is glorified in them. He speaks to His people and is faithful to keep His Word. May we never take for granted the privilege we have of knowing and worshiping the true and living God!
“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” (Is.41.10).
Maranatha!
(mar-uh-nath-uh – “Our Lord Comes”)
Pastor Steve can be reached at PastorSteve@MaranathaBibleChurch.org