Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) … “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.”

This verse is plain in its meaning and is full of consolation. It is to be regarded as addressed primarily to the exiled Jews during their long and painful captivity in Babylon; and the idea is, that they who had been selected by God to be his peculiar people had nothing to fear. But the promise is one that may be regarded as addressed to all his people in similar circumstances, and it is as true now as it was then, that those whom God has chosen have nothing to fear.[1]

This verse offers us five wonderful promises from God.

• His presence. “fear not, for I am with you.” When my father was with me, I feared nothing. So it is when the Heavenly Father is with us, we should not fear.

• His Person. “be not dismayed, for I am your God.” We all have a tendency to throw the towel in and quit—be dismayed—when things go bad, but that attitude is a godless one. It leaves out God and His purpose and power.

• His power. “I will strengthen you.” God gives us power when we need it and have depleted our own reserves.

• His proficiency. “I will help you.” So many things hinder us in this life, but God will help us. Satan would reverse that idea, but it is God Who is our help. (cp. Psalm 121:2)

• His preservation. “I will uphold you.” We need to be persistent and have a steadfastness in our Christian life. God will make that possible by upholding us.[2]

[1] Barnes, A. (1851). Notes on the Old Testament: Isaiah (Vol. 2, p. 86). London: Blackie & Son.

[2] Butler, J. G. (2013). Isaiah to Ezekiel (Vol. 8, pp. 231–232). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.