We end the month of August with one more look at the words of the prophet Isaiah. But not the words of Isaiah, but the words that God spoke through his prophet
Fear not, for I am with you,.... Not merely by his essence or power, or by his providence supporting, preserving, observing, ordering, and overruling all things; but in a way of special grace, to guard and protect his people, support and supply them, comfort and strengthen their hearts:
be not dismayed, for I am your God.... through Christ, in a covenant way, as appeared by the effectual calling of them; and therefore might depend on his love, be sure of his power, expect all needful supplies, and to be comfortably carried through every service and trial they were called unto;:
I will strengthen you.... with strength in their souls, to perform duties, exercise grace, withstand corruptions, resist temptations, bear afflictions, suffer persecutions, and do their generation work, according to the will of God,
I will surely help you;.... help them out of all their afflictions and temptations, and out of the hands of all their enemies; help them in the discharge of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and in their journey to another world; help them to every mercy, temporal and spiritual, to all needful supplies of grace, and at last to glory.
I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness;.... either by his almighty power, or by his Son, the man of his right hand, made strong for himself, and the author of righteousness to his people, so that they shall stand in the grace of God, go on in his ways, and not fall finally and totally, but persevere to the end, though their trials and temptations may be great and many.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible is in the Public Domain and is available to read on several sites around the internet. My preferred online source is StudyLight.org