“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10, NLT
Scripture uses the phrase “do not be afraid” at least 365 times. Your devoted Father protecting you every day is just like him. Isaiah makes it quite clear that you do not have to be consumed by fear since God is there in your life. Don’t even give up; instead, fill your heart with bravery and hope in the Lord, he continues. He has a flawless record of loving faithfulness. He holds you in His right hand of victory.
Once you get rid of your fear of everything else, you can get a good fear of God in its place. The phrase “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” is rejected by fools! You will benefit from the insight, discipline, and strength to follow the Lord closely if you keep the fear of the Lord at the core of your faith. You are putting your trust in the One in charge of everything and everyone when you choose to be afraid of God instead of other people or your circumstances.
Breathe deeply and concentrate on your heavenly Father, whose depth of love extends to all areas of confusion. Take a look around. A quiet church that demonstrates compassion and care is what a frantic world longs for. Replace your fear with God, who is close by and always in you and with you.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NLT
By initially relying on the Lord, who is the source of all hope, Paul develops the concept of being a hope broker. Confidence is a lovely result of His hope, and it overflows with joy and peace. Some of the new Christians who made up Paul’s congregation found it difficult to be a hope broker for God. God uses His people as a means of introducing others to His love, forgiveness, provision, and purposes. Influencing the world around you for the world to come is what it means to be a hope broker.
