Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not, for I am with thee
Not merely by his essence or power, who is every where; or by his
providence supporting, preserving, observing, ordering, and
overruling all things; but in a way of special grace, to guard
and protect his people, support and supply them, comfort and
strengthen their hearts; wherefore they need not fear any of
their enemies, nor whatsoever they may be called to suffer for
his name's sake, even though they pass through fire and water,
and the valley of the shadow of death: be not dismayed, I
am thy God;
through Christ, in a covenant way, as appeared by the effectual
calling of them; and therefore might depend on his love, be sure
of his power, expect all needful supplies, and to be comfortably
carried through every service and trial they were called unto;
and need fear no enemies, or be dismayed at anything that should
befall them; or become weak as water, and their hearts melt like
wax within them, as the Jewish commentators generally interpret
the word {n}. The Targum is,
``be not broken;''
in spirit. The word signifies to look about, as persons in
distress, and amazed:
I will strengthen thee;
with strength in their souls, to perform duties, exercise grace,
withstand corruptions, resist temptations, bear afflictions, suffer
persecutions, and do their generation work, according to the will
of God; and if God is the strength of his people, they need not be
afraid of any persons or things, (
Psalms
27:1-3 ) :
yea, I will help thee;
help them out of all their afflictions and temptations, and out of
the hands of all their enemies; help them in the discharge of duty,
in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the
Lord's battles, and in their journey to another world; help them to
every mercy, temporal and spiritual, to all needful supplies of
grace, and at last to glory; whose help is suitable and seasonable,
and may be expected, since he is able to help, either with or
without means; has promised to help his people, as here, and he is
faithful that has promised; he has laid help on one that is mighty,
and set up a throne of grace to come to for help in time of need;
and seeing he is their helper, they need not fear what men or
devils can do unto them, (
Hebrews 13:5 Hebrews 13:6 )
I
will uphold thee with the right hand of my
righteousness;
either by his almighty power, or by his Son, the man of his right
hand, made strong for himself, and the author of righteousness to
his people: this is expressive of his sustentation of them, not
merely in a providential way, but in a way of special grace; and of
his powerful protection and preservation of them, so as that they
shall stand in the grace of God, go on in his ways, and not fall
finally and totally, but persevere to the end, though their trials
and temptations may be great and many.