The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its remotest parts, and said to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with my righteous right hand.’”

—Isaiah 41:9–10

It’s easy to be dismayed when we realize we can’t control our circumstances, when everything seems to be going wrong, and when we can’t see how things can be made right.

Just before this verse, Isaiah speaks of the other nations who are looking to each other for help, building their own gods, and turning to their own strength in the face of trouble.

God tells us not to do that. He will strengthen, help, and uphold, but it is not in our power to strengthen, help, or uphold ourselves. To pretend otherwise is just as futile as crafting that golden idol or carving that wooden statue with our own hands then bowing down to it and hoping it will protect us.

Nothing made by our own hands is worthy of our hope, trust, or worship. The visible things we build can all fall in a moment (Matthew 6:19). Systems, structures, insurance, retirement plans, and weapons are never foolproof.

Only our all–powerful God can uphold us because he is the firm foundation. His righteous right hand is immovable, unshakable, and as long as we remain in him (John 15:10), he will not let us go. He will strengthen us, he is holding us, and there is no need to fear.

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