"I Will"

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will
uphold you with My righteous
right hand.
For I, the Lord your God, will
hold your right hand, saying to you,
“fear not, I will help you.
Isaiah 41:10,13

It's been 46 years now since the Lord so sweetly gave me the verses above. I had been told that I probably had breast cancer and surgery needed to be done. There were only two people I told about the surgery...one was my boss at work and the other was Brian. Brian and I had only known each other for a month and hadn't started dating yet. With his being a new friend I still felt a strange connection to him, but told him about it trusting he would pray for me.

I recall when being wheeled into surgery that a nurse wanted to hook up an IV in my right arm. I asked her if she would please put it in the left arm. She asked me why I wanted the switch and I told her that, “Someone very special is holding my right hand.” She gave me a knowing smile and said it would be better on the left side anyway and that's what she did. I took those verses very seriously that the Lord gave me with the promise of Him holding my right hand. In that very cold surgical suite, I can't explain the warmth I felt in those moments.
He promised to help me and to uphold me with His capable hand.

Depending on how the questions are asked, we can hear the “I will” response at weddings
and sometimes in a court room. All of us have heard someone's “I will” when promising
something we needed done. The disappointing thing in our day is that for many folks, promises don't mean very much. I, like you, have had some folks who broke promises and
their “I will” quickly turned into “I won't often when I really need their help.

As is my usual practice when reading or studying Scripture, I try to notice word usage and word patterns, especially when I see the repitition of words or phrases. In Isaiah 4:10, there is consistently used the two-word phrase, “I will.” Notice with me:

The blessing in the beginning of verse 10 are the two words, “I am.” Here God gives two precious reminders:

“I am with you”
“I am your God” (so don't be dismayed)

Do you and I really believe those two statements, for if we do, how do those words affect our everyday living? Is our behavior different because God is Who He is in our lives and that He
is always with us? He can never be less than who He says He is.

We come to the “I will” promises in these verses:

“I will strengthen you.”
“I will help you.”
“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
“I will hold your right hand.” (and I know He did and does)
“I will help you.” (so fear not...He's the Lord our God)

Why should you and I ever allow the world to take our minds captive through unfortunate circumstances no matter what they may be. We have the very God of the universe who gives us a list of “I wills” that should cause us to walk in His strength through any circumstance. He's not just with us during the difficult times, but we are assured He is walking with us 24/7, no matter what's going on. Sometime, if you want an interesting study, look at the “I wills” of God in Scripture.

I can't tell you the peace the Lord gave me as I claimed those verses during that time of surgery. If I recall correctly, it was my first serious surgery. I had worked at that hospital on the volunteer staff so had seen a lot of illness and physical difficulties folks faced. Now it was my turn on the operating table. No one was there as I was wheeled out of my room because no one knew what was going on...that had been my choice. I had a peace that no matter what the doctors found, I would be okay and that He would walk me through it. I can honestly say that I didn't have a nervous bone in my body. Went for a check up with the surgeon a few days later. He told me that the lump had been malignant but that it was nestled as if in a cocoon and he was able to just lift the whole thing out. Cancer treatment has come a long way in these many years and grateful I didn't have to have any treatments that back then were pretty archaic.

I love walking on mountain trails, often holding hands with Brian. I love that feeling of love and security, but it's nothing like walking through my days, knowing that God my Father is by my side every moment of every day. The sweetest thing is that He's always holding my hand, no matter where the trails of my life take me.

Dear Father, I praise You today for Your presence in my life that sees to my well-being. Thank You for Your love and goodness. In Jesus precious name...Amen.