Remember and Do Not Fear-Why God Repeats Himself

In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures, Cecille shares why God repeatedly tells the Israelites and us to "Remember and Do not fear." She takes us through Isaiah 41:10. 

Verse of the Week

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (NKJV)

Summary of the Book of Isaiah:

https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-isaiah/

Quote:

The biology of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors

Thierry Steimer

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3181681

Theme Music: Descript stock music-Soiree

Intro & Outro- by Leva (Pixabay lemonmusicstudio)

Connect with Cecille:

https://www.cecillevaloria.com

https://www.instagram.com/valoriacecille/

Transcript

0:01

Do you remember getting irritated when someone kept reminding you to do something? Think back to when your father, mother, or grandparents repeatedly reminded you to look both ways before crossing the street. I certainly do. After the hundredth reminder, I would blurt out, "I know." Yet throughout scripture, we find God doing something very similar. Again and again, he tells his people, "Remember, and do not fear." Over the next three episodes, we'll explore why God repeatedly gives these two commands and what they mean for us today. Welcome to Digging Deep for Treasures podcast. This is Cecille Valoria, a Christian author and a retired teacher. This podcast is to encourage women to grow in their faith and harness the power of the Holy Spirit as we unearth scriptural truths so that we can live in a peace-filled life in our fear-prone world. So now sit back, relax, and let's dig deep for treasures in his word Today, we begin with one of the Bible's most beloved promises, Isaiah 41:10. But first, let's briefly look at the book in which this verse is found. Isaiah is one of the most significant prophetic books in the Bible. The first section, chapters 1 to 35, warns God's people and the surrounding nations of His coming judgment because of sin and idolatry. Chapters 36 to 39 recount the historical account of King Hezekiah and the Assyrian threat against Jerusalem. The final section, chapters 40 to 66, shifts dramatically toward hope, promising Israel's deliverance from Babylonian captivity, the coming Messiah, and the future glory of God's redeemed people. Isaiah 41 falls within this hopeful section. God is speaking to a people who would face exile, uncertainty, and fear. Into that uncertainty, He gives them a promise that still speaks to us today. Before we read Isaiah 41:10, let's take a moment to think about fear itself. Thierry Steimer of the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit at Geneva University Hospital defines anxiety as a psychological, physiological, and behavioral state induced in animals and humans by a threat to well-being or survival, either actual or potential. In other words, anxiety is our body's natural response to perceived danger or uncertainty. It prepares us to cope with situations that threaten our safety or well-being. If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that anxiety and fear are not foreign to me, and most likely they're not foreign to you either. Fear comes easily. We fear walking down dark alleys. We fear illness, accidents, financial hardship, and uncertainty about the future. Sometimes we fear rejection, failure, or losing the people we love. Not all fear, however, is bad. There is a healthy, reverent fear, a deep respect and awe for God. We also teach our children to have a healthy fear of danger. We tell them not to touch electrical outlets, to look both ways before crossing the street, and to wear seat belts while they're driving or while they're riding in the car. As students, many of us study diligently because we don't want to fail an exam. But there is another kind of fear, the kind that paralyzes us, steals our peace, and causes us to forget who God is and what He has promised. It is into that kind of fear that God speaks these comforting words in Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. And that's from the New King James Version. This verse is not only a command but also a promise. Notice that God didn't simply say, "Don't be afraid." He gives His people reasons not to fear. His command is anchored in His character and His presence. He says, "I am with you. I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you." My friend, what fear is weighing on in your heart today? Are you afraid of an uncertain future? Are you worried about your finances? Are you anxious about a diagnosis your doctor has just given you? Whatever that fear may be, acknowledge it, but don't stay there. God not only tells us, "Fear not," but He also says, "Do not be dismayed." The Hebrew word translated dismayed comes from shaah, which carries the idea of gazing intently, looking around for help, or being overwhelmed and bewildered. Isn't that exactly what fear does? It causes us to fix our eyes on the very thing that frightens us. We replay the worst-case scenarios, searching for answers that often never come. But God redirects our gaze. He says, "Do not be dismayed, for I am your God." In other words, don't keep staring at your fear. Turn your eyes to the one who is greater than your fear. Notice that God doesn't simply tell us what not to do. He reminds us who He is: I am your God. His presence is greater than your uncertainty. His strength is greater than your weakness. His help is greater than your need, and His righteous right hand is able to uphold you when you feel like you cannot stand. Our confidence doesn't come from having control over our circumstances. It comes from knowing the one who is in control. And remember, when God repeats, "Do not fear," it is not because He has forgotten that He already said it. It is because He knows we are prone to forget. We forget His presence. We forget His promises. We forget that He is God. Until next time, may you remember that whatever you face this week, you do not face it alone. God is with you. He is your God, and He will strengthen, help, and uphold you. Thank you for joining me today on this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures. If you enjoyed it, I'd love for you to subscribe so you don't miss any future ones. Of course, it would be amazing if you leave a rating and a review. This will help more women to find the podcast and grow in their hope and peace. If you're not sure how to leave a rating and review, click on the podcast app you are listening to and look for the rating and reviews option. I'd like to also invite you to join my private Facebook group so we can get to know each other more. It's a great community where we can engage, learn, and grow together. Just hop on to @diggingdeepfortreasures, then enter your name and email, and you will receive an invite for the group. Or you can also connect with me on my website@cecillevaloria.com or at, in my Instagram at @valoriacecille. Thank you once again, and may you have a blessed week. See you in two weeks