Isaiah 41:10 and 13, New Living Translation

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand… For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

I had a friend give me some scripture for encouragement. It comes from Isaiah 41:10 and 13 (NLT). 

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand… For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

In my friend’s version of the Bible, it says I grasp your hand. The imagery I received in my mind was of God grasping my hand and helping me up. My friend continued to tell me that if God is gripping your hand, He has to be looking at you. 

This may seem like a small thing to some, but there are times when I question if God really sees me. I know I am not the only one who has had this question come to my mind. Without me even sharing with my friend my thoughts or how I have been praying, what are the odds they would share this scripture and say the words they did? That, my brothers and sisters, is God. And now I share these words with you because I know if I need to hear these words, there are other brothers and sisters who need to hear this word. 

God see you. He is looking at you and grasping your hand. He is telling you, don’t be afraid. I will help you. 

Paul tells us in Romans 10:11-13 (NLT), “… ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.’ Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

We have a Savior that will meet us right where we are whether we are struggling, or in despair, or some kind of battle, He is there…even in the mountain top experiences, He is there. I need that, you need that. As human beings, it is impossible to meet every expectation. And these unmet expectations can make us feel disappointed, alone, angry, or even resentful. But this isn’t where God wants us. He said, “I grasp you with your right hand. I uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

Hold onto His hand and don’t let go! John 15:5 (NLT) says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus is the vine. Jesus is our strength. Jesus is our help in times of trouble. 

No matter what life throws at us, no matter how discouraging things may seem, don’t let go of hope. Don’t let go of God. Especially now more than ever! We are living in challenging times. Without Christ, we won’t be able to make it. He is our peace in the storm, our light in the dark, and our hope where there seems to be none. What He has begun, He will complete. 

I hope and pray this has encouraged you as it has to me.