“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not” Isaiah 35:4
Suggested Scripture reading – Isaiah 35
Tommy arrived in his dorm room that night and dissolved into tears. It had been a very hard day. He had a ton of homework to do that night and a very big and important test to study for and he was completely over whelmed. He was afraid that he would never get everything done. His fear was real. He just knew that he would fail and have to drop out of school. His roommate, Matt had observed his dramatic entrance but was not sure just how to help his fearful friend. He had been reading in the book of Isaiah for his devotions and thought that the passage in chapter 35 might be a help both of them. “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you” (vs. 3-4) He let Tommy settle down a little and then began to tell him about some of his own academic trials. In a few minutes they were both chuckling over some of the experiences he had endured and yet was still in school. Matt exercised the instructions from Isaiah and encouraged a brother who was being consumed by fear. They prayed together and Matt sent Tommy off to the study room with confidence.
In chapter 35 Isaiah is encouraging the people to stand together and strengthen each other. They were under the threat of invasion from Assyria. Many of the people had “weak hands,” and “feeble knees.” They were “of a fearful heart.” Isaiah was pointing them to God who would “come and save” them. (vs. 4) Many times we find those who are overwhelmed by their circumstances and are paralyzed with the fear. Our Christian responsibility is to encourage them. We are to come along beside them and “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.” (vs. 4) We trust God and depend on Him for strength and courage but often He gives these things to His children through you and me.
Tommy went to the study room that night. He studied hard and the next day he passed his test. He went on to finish school and afterwards spent many years serving the Lord as a missionary pastor. The kind words of a friend helped get him through.
Never fear to say a word of encouragement to those who are afraid. Tell them;
“Surely, God will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:3-4
“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.”
