## No Fear

## Isaiah 43:1-2

The phrase 'No Fear' can be found nearly everywhere today. T-shirts, decals, and sports wear. I seriously doubt that most who display the phrase really understand it. Fear is a human emotion that each of us must deal with. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of 'phobias' or fears that people struggle with. 'No Fear' The biblical term is "fear not". Over 60 times we find these words as an invitation to trust in God. Because of their disobedience, God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar and the great Babylonian Empire to sweep across the land and take captive the nation of Israel. Imagine what it might have been like to have the enemy come in and carry you away captive to another country. To be displaced to a country where you didn't know the language, where the culture and customs were totally different. Do you think that would be frightening? God had warned the nation of Israel that this would happen. He used the prophet Isaiah to deliver His message to the people. Along with the message of impending doom, He also delivered a message of hope and encouragement.

Read text: Isaiah 43:1-7

This promise is made to the nation of Israel, but I believe that we can glean some principles from this text that would be an encouragement to each of us today. I want us to consider why we should have 'No Fear'.

I. He has Created Us. v1

A. Consider the creation account.

(John 1:1-3) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} The same was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

1. All things were made by Him.

2. He spoke into existence the stars and planets, as well as the earth and all that is here.

3. But when it came to creating man…

4. We read in Gen. 2:7 that God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

5. Man's creation was different than anything else that created by God.

B. God lovingly shaped and formed man and then breathed His own breath into His creation.

C. Sorry, but man is not a descendent of the apes; he is not just a higher form of animal; he is the special creation of God!

D. Fear Not… the One who created you has a promise for you.

II. He has Redeemed Us

A. Redemption = Salvation

1. To redeem is to buy back that which was previously your possession.

2. God created us, and loved us…

3. But because of sin, we are separated from Him.

4. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, our redemption is made possible.

5. The price of redemption was paid on Calvary.

(Eph 1:7) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

B. Eternity awaits us all.

1. Regardless of whether a person is redeemed or not.

2. We are eternal beings…which means we will continue to exist beyond this life.

3. The question is where we will spend eternity.

4. There are but two eternal places, heaven where God is; and the lake of fire separated from God forever.

C. What we do with Jesus Christ today will make the difference for all eternity.

1. We can accept His finished work on the cross as atonement for our sins..

2. Or we can reject Him and suffer the consequences of our sin.

(Rom 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

3. We don't have to be afraid…

III. He has Called Us

A. Identity "…I have called thee by thy name…"

1. We don't have to be afraid, because He knows us and He knows where we are.

2. There is something very calming in hearing your name called when you are afraid.

3. The people of Israel were going to be in a strange land, but God still knew who they were.

4. Remember Daniel? The Babylonians gave him a new identity…but God remembered who he was.

B. Security "…Thou art mine."

1. When the Lord redeems us, we belong to Him.

2. But there is another side of that relationship.

3. Not only do we belong to Him…but He belongs to us.

4. The songwriter put it this way, "Now I belong to Jesus…Jesus belongs to me…not for the years of time alone…but for eternity!"

IV. He Will Protect Us

A. "When thou passest through the waters…"

1. Notice that His protection doesn't mean that we will not go through the trials of this life.

2. The nation of Israel would go through the captivity.

3. Jesus said to His disciples…

(John 16:33b) "…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

4. The promise isn't protection from trials, but preservation through the difficulties.

B. "…I will be with thee…"

1. We don't have to face the trials of this life alone!

2. Daniel's experience is a fulfillment of this promise.

3. God was with him through every trial and challenge he faced in Babylon.

4. Whatever we may face in this life…if we belong to God…we do not face it alone!

No Fear… is that your testimony today? It can be. God wants us to realize how much He loves us. He created us, He redeemed us, He knows us, and He will be with us.

Do you know the Lord today? Why not come to Him in faith right now and receive eternal life. Trust in Him.