God in the Crisis

In every life there are guidelines to follow. This principle is true from the palace to the homeless shelter. If you want to get a driver’s license, the first step is to get the study guide. The guide tells you the rules so that you can be safe on the road. It tells you what you can and cannot do. The Bible is your guide for living. It also tells you what you should do and some things you shouldn’t.

Isaiah 41:10 AMP, is one of those verses that gives you both sides. It says, “Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]”. So what dies it mean?

First we are told to refrain from some things. We should not fear or be afraid. Many times the words are used interchangeably. However, there is a difference between them. Fear is an emotion; it anticipates danger. An individual who is afraid is filled with apprehension He or she feels that something bad will happen. God is saying that being fearful is not something you should do.

We are at a time in history where there is uncertainty about tomorrow. It seems like 2020 is one crisis after another. In the midst of a medical pandemic, we are in a political crisis. Both of these situations instill fear and make us afraid. There is fear and concern about the reopening of the nation. Will the virus spike or continue to decline? While the leaders pondered these questions and were putting plans into place to keep us safe as the country embark on reopening, we were thrown into another crisis.

The firestorm that is sweeping the nation might prove to be more of a danger that the virus. Our cities have curfews as the leaders of the country try to control the situation. So how do we proceed? Well He said I will strengthen you. In other words I will give you what you need to make it. If you feel anxiety about facing your tomorrow with confidence then you can look to your God. Isaiah 46:4 says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you I will carry you along and save you.” With God on your side you can face your tomorrow.

He says I will help you. Many times society looks down on people who need help. Truth be told, everyone has needed help in their life. As life and circumstances change, the kind of help you need changes.  The pandemic created issues for many. Therefore many families needed help. But there is a kind of help that social services cannot provide. That help comes from God. He said I will help you. I will make it easier for you to bear your load. I will give you what you need to make it through. You will not have to fight your battles alone. David said in Psalm 46:1, “God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble—more than enough and always available whenever I need you.”  David faced many difficulties in his life but he knew that God provided help when needed.

Finally, He said, I will hold you up. I will support you. Support is only as good as the item giving support. The Almighty God is going to hold you up with His righteous right hand. His right hand gives justice. The dictionary defines justice as fairness in the way people are treated. Ecclesiastes 3:17 says, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”  His right hand gives power. God will give you the ability and resources you need in whatever situation you need it. His hand of victory will be with you during the struggles of life. His right hand will give you victory.  Titus 2:11 talks about His hand of salvation it says, ^“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.”

In these troubled times, you don’t have to live in despair. If you follow the guidelines set forth in Isaiah 41:10, you will not fear or be afraid during either the medical or political upheavals in our world. He is God in the crisis and He will be with you in the crisis.