No Reason to Fear (Isaiah 41)

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you," declares the Lord, "and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel" (Isa 41:10, 14, NASB).

Fear. If we are able to not fear about anything regarding our life and future, life would be such a happy, joyful and peaceful endeavor. But alas, fear arises in our hearts, often seemingly out of nowhere. We fear everything from vague uncertainties to an increasingly likelihood of a Trump presidency!

If Isaiah 40 is about starting over on a new day, Isaiah 41 is about starting over with a new attitude. Isaiah 40 is about having hope. Isaiah 41 is about having confidence with no fear.

God and History (41:1-29) [Derek Kidner, New Bible Commentary]

1. God's challenge to the nations  (1-7).
2. God's servant reassured (8-20).
3. God's challenge renewed (21-29).
   

God, his people, and the nations (41:1-29) [Barry Webb]

1. The nations on trial (1-7, 21-29).
2. Israel, God's servant (8-20).
   

The Reality of God in an Unreal World (41:1-20) [Ray Ortland, God Saves Sinners]

1. God alone activates history (1-7).
1. God invites the nations to settle a question (1).
2. Who controls history? "I, the Lord" (2-4).
3. The nations flee to their idols (5-7).
   
2. God alone emboldens us (8-20).
1. He upholds his fearful servant (8-13).
2. He transforms his worm into a threshing sledge (14-16).
3. He refreshes his thirsty pilgrims (17-20).
   

John Oswalt (41:1-20).

1. God's Challenge to the Nations (1).
2. God's Activities as Evidence (2-7).
3. No Need for God's People to Fear (8-20).
   

Alec Motyer (41:1-20)

1. Who rules the world? (1-4)
2. A hopeless reaction: Make new gods! (5-7)
3. By contrast: Life with Yahweh--three pictures (8-10).
1. Picture 1: Victory for the weak (8-13).
2. Picture 2: Transformation for the negligible (14-16).
3. Picture 3: Provision for the needy (17-20).
4. The wider Gentile world (21-29).
1. Gentile need exposed (21-24).
2. Yahweh by contrast (25-27).
3. Summary in conclusion: The plight of the Gentile world (28-29).