"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."
These promises are made to God's church, which is gathered "from the ends of the earth," (v. 9a). Faithful Christians may be fearless for only *one* reason: because God is with them. The true believer may be en-
couraged and strengthened--not because of some native ability or pre-
tended righteousness or virtue--but only because the Lord is his (or her) God.
There is no hope, happiness, strength, life, or purpose outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us trust in His promises; and love Him with our whole hearts.
[Puritan quote of the day: "To suppose mercy without supposing mis-
ery, or pity without calamity, is a contradiction; therefore men can-
not look upon themselves as proper acts of mercy unless they first know themselves to be miserable." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Pardon for the Greatest Sinners"]
