What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of not landing that job that will help you and your family improve in life? Are you afraid of not being politically correct when you speak? Are you afraid of what news the doctor is going to bring you concerning your test results? If the astronauts had been afraid when it came time to test the rockets that sent them into space, would we have a space program? Would man have made it to the moon and back? Fear can be a very debilitating aspect to any life.
We are told in 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." This was spoken to Isaiah to remind him that the Lord had called him to be His messenger. He had no reason to be afraid or fear of what would happen to him when he spoke the Lord's words to kings, leaders, farmers, traders, foreigners, or whomever. The Lord would be his constant companion. He would get his strength  and help from the only place that could give it to him. So what place could fear have in Isaiah's life and service? Absolutely none. Isaiah had been set free from that bondage of fear by the Lord.
Yet He still was tempted to let fear affect him. He was tempted to prevent him from simply speaking the truth. He was tempted to let fear destroy his ability to answer the questions asked of him with God's law and gospel. He was tempted to let fear think he wouldn't know what to say.
All too often, we as Christians are afraid. Of what: failing to say the right thing when challenged, failing to invite someone to hear the Word of God that is proclaimed from the pulpits of our churches, failing to show love to someone in need of knowing the love of God. Why are we afraid? If we are afraid, it is because we trust in the wrong thing or person. Our sinful flesh is afraid of not making God happy.
How do we deal with that fear? With the Lord. He tells us to not be afraid. He has it all under control. He has it all worked out. He has already won the victory for our shortcomings. He wants us to know and understand that what we see as a failure, He has made a success. He wants us to know that He is our real strength and help. He lifts us up with the hand that makes things done in the right way, at the right time, for the right reasons. So, brothers and sisters, I say: Do not fear!