Every day seems beautiful when I am on a myPhotoWalk in Sedona, Arizona, one of my favorite places in the whole world. Even if it rains, I enjoy the stately beauty of the red rocks and the sky filled with incredible cloud formations.
On this particular day, there was a rain storm in the forecast; that meant great photographic opportunities for me. A built–in, God–designed soft box lighting effect. One thing that captured my attention all day long was the big sky. The cloud formations were so varied and artistic that everything else seemed to fade into the background. And I confess, I am basically obsessed with capturing images of clouds. I never saw a cloud that did not deserve a picture.
Isn't it interesting that when you are focused on one thing, everything else seems to fade into the distance, and you don't give that one thing a second thought?
I share this because of something very powerful that the Lord taught me this week in my quiet time.
I have a promise in the Bible that has been a favorite for the last few years. It's Isaiah 41:10 —
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
This week I read Isaiah 41:10 in the NIV as I have always read it in the NASB. And so, I noticed the word "dismayed." I thought, "I wonder what that word is in the Hebrew?" So I decided to do a little word study using Logos Bible software and some of my favorite word study tools.
The Hebrew word for "dismayed" is saah and means to look about in fear. The general meaning is to look at with interest.
As I thought about this definition, I realized that it helps in a huge way in conquering fear. What God is saying here is that we need to pay attention to what we are looking at. And He is encouraging us to not look at the threatening circumstances with interest or fear or expectation. In other words, we shouldn't even give a bad circumstance the time of day. When we do, we give credence to it as if it has something we should be afraid of. God is saying it does not have the threat we think it has and doesn't even have any weight to cause fear, panic or dismay.
And so, we must ask ourselves why we need not fear when everything about certain circumstances seems to ignite in us a panic and worry.
The Lord goes on in Isaiah 41:10 to give us amazing promises. And what we learn is true literally takes every wind out of the sails of a difficult or impossible circumstance.
Oh this is so powerful dear friend. What I look at every day is so important. God is telling me to look only at Him. And when I look only at Him, I will see the truth. That He is my God, He will strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with His righteous right hand.
I like how "dismayed" is translated "anxiously look about you" in the NASB. That brings in the idea of what we look at and how we look at something. Look at God and the circumstance seems to fade into the background. And your confidence will grow, and fear and discouragement will begin to dissipate.
So dear friend, turn your gaze to your Lord today. Fill your heart and mind with promises of who He is, what He does, and what He says. You will find your confidence, faith, and trust growing moment by moment.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your promise that You are with us, and that You will help us and strengthen us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Blessings ♡ Grace
