What’s your Covid-19 go to?

When I’m hit with the temptation to be afraid, to live in fear, I hit the pause button and turn to my go-to verse, Isaiah 41:10. This verse, one that I memorized several years ago, is like an old friend who reminds me of what I know, and provides me with the right perspective.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

Let’s break it down…

So do not fear…

Why should we not fear? Because we’re in the family.  Abraham, the Lord’s good friend, is our cousin. “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Isaiah 41:8-9.

I am with you…

To be “with” someone assumes two things. 1. Close proximity and 2. A desire to be close to them.

He’s always with us. …

“For the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6  “Yet I am always with you… ” Psalm 73:23a

Do not be dismayed…

Dismayed means to be shaken, frightened, rattled, or thrown off balance. The New American Standard Bible puts it this way: ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you…’ Being anxious is one way someone may express their dismay. Why shouldn’t we be dismayed or anxious when faced with trouble?

 For I am your God…

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth…” Isaiah 40:28 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27. The one who is alongside us is the almighty God. Nothing is beyond His capabilities. So, how He is going to assist us?

I will strengthen you…

His plan is to infuse us with power that is not our own. If we will choose to trust the Lord more than we fear the situation, He will give us what we need physically and emotionally to face down the challenge. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11

Help you…

We may not feel like we’re up to the task and often we aren’t. But, we can count on the Lord to help us. “Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? Don’t be afraid. Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? I’ll help you. I, God, want to reassure you.” Isaiah 41:14 (MSG) “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid… The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.” Psalm 118:6-7

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…

When the Bible talks about the right hand of God it’s referring not only to a location, but also to a person. It’s a very prestigious place saved for a very prestigious person. The Old Testament reveals that this location is reserved for only the Messiah. The New Testament tells us that Jesus is the Messiah, the righteous one. Who then is the one who condemns? No one.

“Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

Jesus has taken us by the hand and is personally strengthening us, helping us, praying for us, and holding on to us. “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

While things have not always turned out as I would have preferred and no one knows how this COVID 19 thing is going to work out, I do know that whatever happens, I

1. Never face anything on my own

2. Don’t have to believe only in what I see or hear

3. Don’t have to rely solely on my own, or other human resources

4. Can choose to exercise my faith and not be overwhelmed by fear

What is your go-to verse? Get your go-to on!

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.…You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” Psalm 91:1-6

Previously published on John Strappazon Ministries