“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

There have been moments in my Christian walk when things became so tough that I felt like I was literally being carried along by a strong Hand.

Did you know? The Latin word ‘patr’ (hence the English words; paternal, patron, patriarch, father, etc) is from a root that means one who upholds, nourishes and protects.

In essence, God’s ability to uphold His children is one of the key defining attributes of His character.

The dictionary defines ‘uphold’ as; ‘to keep elevated’ or ‘to lift up.’

When God upholds you, He keeps you elevated in the echelons of His presence or lifts you up to higher dimensions in the realm of the spirit.                                                                                                                           

From a biblical perspective, the word ‘uphold’ means to ‘bear’ or ‘carry,’ which involves motion or progress toward a final end or call it destiny.

The noun form of this word (upholder) refers to something or someone that offers physical support to a weak person as he/she moves along.

When God upholds you, He keeps you elevated in the echelons of His Presence or lifts you up to higher dimensions in the realm of the spirit.

In our meditation today, God is speaking through Isaiah to people who were in captivity in Babylon.

The message to the captives was clear: “I am with you; I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you, so don’t be afraid nor be dismayed.”

When God the Almighty is the one upholding you, you have nothing to fear.

Then in Psalm 37:23-24, David declared that the “steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”

One Bible version translates “the Lord upholds him with His hand” as; “for the Lord puts His hand under him.”

As we walk in this fallen world, stumbling may be inevitable, but the Hand that created the universe is underneath to uphold us. Hallelujah!

Every child of God knows pretty well that when they fall, they are never left lying there in the dust.

There’s a lifting up; a strong Hand to pick you up from the dust to lead you on to your destiny for His glory.

Don’t you like how the psalmist puts it in Psalm 41:12: “As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.”

What that shows is that even if you’re walking in your integrity, it’s not by your own effort or power; the crucified Christ is the One upholding you.

Therefore all the credit goes to Him, not you brother!

Of course like every other divine blessing, it has to take faith for us to enjoy the full blessing of God’s upholding power.

As King Jehoshaphat told the people; “Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld” (2 Chronicles 20:20, NIV).

Finally, Hebrews 1:3 declares that Christ is “upholding all things by the Word of His power.”

Think of it; the whole universe – the cosmos and the heavens – are being upheld by the Word of His power!

Now, how much more shall that the same Word also uphold your little world?       

Do you now understand why He says you should not be afraid nor dismayed? You’re upheld!

Prayer:       

Almighty God, thank you for Your Right Hand, Your Spirit and Your Word that are upholding me on this walk with You. How can I be afraid? Because of the everlasting Arms that I am leaning on underneath, I will always abide before Your Face forever and ever, Amen!