Fear Not, For I Am With You

Hello again!

This is what God gave me today in his word:

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. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. (Isaiah 41:10-11)

I now feel safe on Earth… But what about after I die, then what?

Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14)

Alright but that still doesn’t answer my question does it? What happens after I die? Sure I can feel good and safe here on Earth. But what about afterwards? So far all you’ve told me is that I’m a worm, and that you are my (redeemer)… Oh.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, (Ephesians 1:7-8)

¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

OK, I get the picture… God is my physical and spiritual savior and what not. But frankly, so what? What exactly does all of that mean?

 ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12)

OK but I’m already a pretty perfect fella. I don’t need any help in pride, worldly passions, self-control, or even living uprightly. I don’t even need to be redeemed; my perfection will get me to Heaven no sweat!

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

You must have misunderstood; I’m not like that! I really am perfect.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Alright then, point taken… So, how about that grace you were talking about earlier?

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

You are loved!

Joshua Cleveland