Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Isaiah 41:10: Why Should I Trust God?

Isaiah 41:10:

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.[1]

Trusting God can be difficult. We do not physically see Him. When we pray we do not get audible responses. Why should we trust the Trinity? Isaiah 41:10 explains why. [2] The promise “I am with you” is the foundation we need to endure all of life and battle every temptation. [3] This foundation is trustworthy because the Lord Who spoke the world into being [4] promises “I will help you” in trials and tests. The reminder that the Triune God’s righteous right hand upholds us is a reminder of His “equity” and “fidelity . . . in persevering his people.” [5] Believers in Christ are to trust God because He is the faithful, true, and sure foundation for every situation.

But there is more: God is with us in the person of Christ. [6] When we embrace Jesus by faith as He is presented in the Gospel, we are promised that the Trinity “will never leave [us] nor forsake [us.]” [7] Why should we trust God? Because He is the just and faithful foundation Who has paved the way of salvation for us in Christ. [8]

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] John Calvin. Commentary on the Prophet Isaiah, Vol. 3. Trans. William Pringle. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Co, 1981), 258.

[3] Calvin, Commentary on the Prophet Isaiah, Vol. 3, 258.

[4] Genesis 1-2.

[5] Calvin, Commentary on the Prophet Isaiah, Vol. 3, 259.

[6] Matthew 1:21-21.

[7] Joshua 1:5-9; Romans 8:28-39; Hebrews 13:5-6.

[8] John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:3-2:14.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Isaiah 26:3-4: Despite What You Tell Yourself

Isaiah 26:3-4: You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

Trust in the Lord forever,

for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. [1]

Have you heard the expression: “I am my own worst enemy?” At times are you bothered by your own thoughts? If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, do you wrestle with assurance of salvation? If you can say, “yes” to any of these questions, you need these verses for yourself and/or your friend(s). Isaiah teaches that God’s faithfulness sustains and enables Christian faith. [2] Because the LORD is changeless (regardless of people) and faithful, [3] He generates, [4] guides, [5] and energizes faith. [6] By God-given and enduring faith Christians can wrestle with their doubts, the lies Satan and the world whisper in their ears, and live a thriving life for their Savior Jesus. [7] Regardless of what we tell ourselves.

Isaiah is also clear that the Trinity’s peace is exclusively for those who exclusively follow Christ. [8] If you desire help with the sorrow in your heart, work’s crushing weight, family woes, etc. you have that if you admit your guilt to the Triune God and strive to be His by His Holy Spirit. [9] These promises are true, attested, and good despite what you have heard and tell yourself. [10] Come to Him, and Jesus Christ will be your rock. [11]

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Logos Bible Software 6. All Scripture references will be ESV from this point forward, unless noted otherwise.

[2] John Calvin. Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Trans. William Pringle. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Co., 1981), 213-215.

[3] Geerhardus Vos. Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2000), 119.

[4] Ephesians 1:3-2:1-10; see also The Westminster Standards: The Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism. (Philadelphia, PA: Great Commission Publications, 2011), Shorter Catechism Questions and Answers 29-35.

[5] John 14:15-17, 16:12-15; Romans 8:26; Galatians 5:13-25.

[6] Romans 15:13; James 2:14-26, see also Calvin, Commentary: Isaiah, 215.

[7] 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:17-32.

[8] The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version, Containing the Old and New Testaments. General Edition R.C. Sproul, Associate Editor Keith Mathison. (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 985.

[9] The Westminster Standards: The Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism. (Philadelphia, PA: Great Commission Publications, 2011), Shorter Catechism Questions and Answers 86-87.

[10] 1 Corinthians 15:3-9; Hebrews 11:1-12:3; 1 John 3:19-20.

[11] Deuteronomy 32:4; Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Isaiah 45:21-22: Our Court Summons:

Declare and present your case;
let them take counsel together!
Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me.

22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.

Many would enjoy dragging God to court for perceived wrongs, negligence, and/or injustice. Interestingly, in Isaiah, God summons people to court (Isaiah 41:1; 21-23, 43:9; 26, and 45:21). But those the LORD subpoenas find themselves as defendants, not prosecutors (Is. 41:1; 26; 44:7-8, 48:14, see also Deuteronomy 4:35, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Job 38-41:2, Psalm 11:7, 46:10, Zech. 3, Revelation 19:11-15, etc.). Why is the Almighty judging and condemning people? Isaiah explains that everyone’s, including our, best arguments, evidence, and actions for innocence amount to filthy rags (64:6). Accordingly, all people so are guilty before the divine Judge even our goodness demands our punishment. When we add on our crimes against God (sin) we all procure an eternal death sentence in Hell (Matthew 25:31-46, Rev. 21:8, etc.).

Praise be to God, there is one lawyer Who can take our case and win: Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-2). Jesus represents us, and takes our guilt so the divine Judges sees His righteousness on us which grants His elect full pardon (Matthew 19:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 5; 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Colossians 1:15-20, Titus 3:1-8, Revelation 5, 7:14, 19:8, and so forth). Further, those cleared by Christ are promised: “Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:33-34). Your court date is coming, have you lawyered up?

This blog was written by Seth Dunn