Promises of Peace #25

Isaiah 41:10 is one of those powerful promises of peace that we isolate to a poster or the front of a greeting card, which is really much more profound when we back up and consider the context, to verse

5 The islands have seen it and fear;
    the ends of the earth tremble.
They approach and come forward;
6     they help each other
    and say to their companions, “Be strong!”
7 The metalworker encourages the goldsmith,
    and the one who smooths with the hammer
    spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, “It is good.”
    The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.
8 “But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
    from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
    I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
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.

All across the world we have people creating their own gods, their idols. They all gather around and say "oooo, ahhhh", approving each other's work, then nailing it to the table so it doesn't fall over.  But God's people are different. God says: "I chose you to serve me; I called you to be My people. I am not stuck, nailed to the table. I can go everywhere and do anything. Stick with Me, and you will have peace, not fear. I will give you all the strength, help, security and stability you need.