It is I who say to you, “Fear not,

I am the one who helps you.”

Here is the reason to end all fears: We have the covenant keeping God on our side. He is the One that will help us. We have not been left to ourselves!

First, we have been sinners, and He has afflicted us, but He’s on our side now. God does two works: He removes self-confidence, and He establishes us in the faith. He takes away what hinders faith, and He gives us faith with encouraging words and promises. He hinders our way, so that He may open to us His way in the gospel.

Secondly, the Lord Jesus has bought the blessings, so they are sure. Acts 13:34, “And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’” God’s grace is astounding, but it is paid for in full, like a brilliant diamond for a bride whose husband just received a promotion: it is a justified celebration. It’s not built upon the fool’s gold of our good works or moral effort, but the finished work of Christ has procured the blessing. God can touch us and still be holy, because He punished Jesus for our sins!

Thirdly, the Spirit will do what we cannot. We are helpless, as proven in our battle with sin. We have been left wounded and spiritually dead. The flesh has proven itself too strong for us numerous times. “Old Adam was too strong for young Philip.” If we were left to ourselves, then we’d fear, but God will intervene. He’ll perform the good works. He’ll give us joy and peace. The Spirit has been promised because of Jesus Christ: we are justified by faith, so He must come to reward the righteous [Rom 8:1-2].

Fourthly, we have repented! This promise of help is not to the wicked. This is for sinners who turn back… who realize that it’s better in their father’s house… but they do not yet know the music and the dancing. God never says, “Keep on sinning, and I will make you happy.” No, this is for chastened sinners who WANT to walk in their Father’s way, like the man the Lord asked, “Do you want to be made whole [John 5:6]?” John 5:7, “The sick man answered Him, ‘Sire, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” He knows that he wants it, but he doesn’t know who will help him, until he sees the Lord!

Fifthly, God’s glorified in grace. When we look for reasons, we find none within - we have been so unworthy - but He is glorified in giving grace to sinners [Luke 7:6-9]. He’s glorified in giving mercy to people that we’d punish. He’s glorified in being more gracious than we are evil. Rom 5:20, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”

He saves to praise His own name, and we don’t have to be worthy or powerful. We don’t have to be somebody to be made useful! God can take a failure and make him into Moses the leader. He can take a fornication episode, and use it to destroy the Philistines [Samson]. He can liberate Israel from Babylon in a single night without Israel lifting a finger [Dan 5]. He can raise the dead and pour out His Spirit.