September 8, 2024
“Security [or safety] is mostly a superstition … Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life [itself] is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
-- Helen Keller (1880-1968)
1. But now thus says the Lord, the One who created you, O Jacob. The One who formed you, O Israel “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine. 2. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, And the flame shall not consume you. 3. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior … 4. Because you are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you … 5. Fear not, for I am with you.
Isaiah 43:1-5 (ESV)
The Idea:
The source of true courage is not knowing how safe you are.
It's believing God’s presence is everything you need to face the danger.
The Sources of True Courage
I. Because You Matter So Much to God
1 “But now, thus says the Lord, the One who created you, O Jacob,
The One who formed you, O Israel, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! “
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
II. Because He Walks with You
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. “
Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)
“… Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you …”
1 Chronicles 28:20 (ESV)
III. Because of What You Mean to Him
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you … “
Isaiah 43:4 (ESV)
IV. Because in the Hard Thing, He Does a New Thing
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a [way] through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
7 “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid … “
Psalm 112:7-8 (ESV)
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