Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:3–4)
I didn’t know how I was going to move that HUGE block of concrete a few yards, to make a planter for DeAnne. The block was actually the foundation/frame of the original well for our house, and rather than destroy it, we had decided to make use of it. But having decided, I found out I couldn’t move it one inch. I tried pushing. I tried pulling. I tried the mechanical aids I had at my disposal.
But then I asked for help. I hired a Man with a Machine. As big as the block was, THIS machine was bigger! I called. He came. We conquered!
But from the moment I made contact with him, my heart found peace. At least in the whole ‘block-moving’ arena. I no longer worried. I no longer felt the shame of my failure. I no longer feared. I just had to get to work.
Isaiah was speaking to people who, having heard his warnings, were afraid. A monstrous (in size and temperament) enemy was going to smash God’s people. God’s patience, perhaps, had reached the end. And discipline was coming. And was there.
And is here.
So you, like them, might be afraid. This discipline might not be as bad as some first feared. It might be worse than anticipated. The people of God aren’t facing an enemy nation, but we are facing an enemy worldview, a threatening mindset, a devastated economy, and a serious health disaster. And while Isaiah isn’t standing in our churches shouting… his warnings against God’s people drifting, shifting, and forgetting Him seem to be speaking into our ears. If we have ears to hear.
And Isaiah was told to tell US, too, not to fear.
But that doesn’t mean, “relax and do nothing… it’s alright… take a deep breath and smile. Oh, and watch some Netflix… it’ll all be over soon.”
He describes what to do about our fear immediately before and after he encourages us to, “fear not.”
First, he reminds us that it is GOD who saves. He uses many methods to save us from various troubles, but all methods are attached to and strung from HIM. We can choose to stop being afraid when we know that He will come and save us. That He HAS come and saved us.
Secondly, Isaiah demonstrates what our part in our own help is. He refers to strengthening our hands, and firming our knees. I don’t believe that Isaiah is randomly mentioning body parts.
Our hands symbolize our work. Doing the next right thing that we are called to do. Not so much pondering those things that are too wonderful for us, but doing our work. Perhaps we would be less afraid if we were at work. There is nothing wrong with thinking, or reasoning, or studying… but here Isaiah seems to be saying that we meet fear NOT with more knowledge, or understanding, or special insight. But knowing God, we work. Understanding His Word, we work. The Holy Spirit’s insights give us reason and impetus to work.
And Isaiah’s reference to our knees remind us, perhaps, of prayer. On our knees in supplication. On our knees in worship. On our knees in humble approach to the Mighty King. We can meet fear with humble adoring prayer and worship.
It’s interesting that both of Isaiah’s directions for meeting fear have little to do with the actual problem causing the fear.
He’s saying, “Fear not! Whatever you face, God will save you! Pray/worship… and do your work.