“I, I am he who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies? Of the son of man who is made like grass?”
– Isaiah 51:12
When I read this verse, I think about fear in my life, in all of our lives. When I talk with followers of Christ even, the prevalence of fear. The way it plays out in so many of our lives. We’re afraid of so many things. We’re afraid of what other people think about of us and we’re afraid of the unknown.
Additionally, we’re afraid of what the future might hold. We’re afraid of this or that happening to us and we’re afraid of sickness or disease. Also, we’re afraid of dying and we’re afraid of death. We’re afraid of all kinds of things in this world and God says in his word. So, here are these words. Just think about it. “Any fears you have in your life,” here God saying, “I am He who comforts you and you have nothing to fear in this world.” You don’t need to be afraid of any man or woman. You don’t need to be afraid of anyone or anything in this world. I’m the God over this world and I comfort you.
We are afraid of all kinds of things in this world, but the God over the world says we have nothing to fear because He is our comfort.
Isaiah 51:12: God is Our Protector
I keep you. I have, hear this. This is God saying to his people (in Isaiah 51:12). I’m responsible for your ultimate protection and provision and comfort and peace. Therefore, you need not fear anything in this world.
Prayer of Admiration and Asking For Comfort
Oh God, I pray for that. For every single person listening right now. God with whatever fears they have, I think about fears in my own life. God, help us to look up and see you are our comforter. That you are the God of the universe. The God over this world with sovereign authority over everything in this world. That the only fear we need to have is fear of you and the right fear of you that combines reverence and awe for you in light of your holiness and your greatness and your grandeur and your justice and your mercy God help us to fear you and then as a result to have proper perspective on everyone and everything around us in this world. That we need not fear anyone or anything else. Because you are our God.
You are our comforter.You are our confidence. Oh, God thank you. Thank you for freeing us from all fear. Help us to trust in you today. I pray for everybody who is listening to this. My own heart God help us to trust in you and the comfort you give today to not live with fear of anyone or anything in this world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
David Platt serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church. He is also the Founder of Radical, an organization that makes Jesus known among the nations.
David received his B.A. from the University of Georgia and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Some of his published works include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Don’t Hold Back, and How to Read the Bible.
He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children.
