Isaiah 12:2

FEARLESS TRUST

‘I will trust, and not be afraid.’

Isaiah 12:2

Naturally any creature must be liable to fear.

I. The great mysteries of existence have a tendency to produce fear.—(1) Has not every thoughtful mind bowed and almost trembled before the great mystery into which so many others may be resolved—the existence of evil, sin, misery, in the universe, under the government of an infinitely powerful and infinitely benevolent Being? (2) There is great mystery also about the plan of Divine providence in this world. Where is your relief? ‘I will trust, and not be afraid.’ To God there is no mystery, no miscalculation, no loss. He is reaping perpetual harvest, gathering the wheat into His garner, linking on the sorrowful present to the glad future.

II. There are certain possibilities, the thought of which has a tendency to darken the spirit with fear.—(1) We all look forward, we all struggle on to the future with more or less of expectation or desire. But our fears go with our hopes, our apprehensions keep close company with our anticipations. In proportion as men have suffered, they feel that there is a possibility of suffering being continued or renewed in coming days. Through the fear, not of death alone, but of a multitude of other things, some are ‘all their life subject to bondage.’ Now what is the remedy? ‘I will trust and not be afraid.’ Faith leans upon the Lord. He knows our walking through this great wilderness.

III. There is yet one dread possibility, the contemplation of which is more appalling than the very worst of earthly calamities—the possibility of spiritual failure, ending in a final exclusion from the presence of God and the joys of the blessed.

Illustration

‘ “I will trust,” said St. Peter, and the sea became as rock beneath his feet. “I will trust,” said the Syro-Phœnician woman, though the disciples said, “Send her away,” and her daughter was healed. “I will take,” said Balaam, and became rich for a day, accursed for ever. “Let me live,” said Jonah, and was cast into the sea. “I will trust,” said he afterward, and all Nineveh bowed at his word. “I will trust,” said Daniel, and was delivered. “I will save my life,” said Peter, and denied his Lord. “I will trust,” said he afterward, and laid him down to sleep; then came the angel of the Lord, and brought him forth from prison. “What mean ye to weep and to break my heart?” said Paul; “ I will trust.” ’