God Has Not Abandoned You

The hugely popular Bible app, YouVersion, used around the world, just posted 2025’s most clicked verse: Isaiah 41:10.

Isaiah 41:10 says, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV)

The popularity of this verse really shouldn’t surprise us. After all, we live in a fallen, broken world. I’m sure many have stress and health issues that remain hidden from view, but deep in the recesses of our souls, pain has taken up permanent residence in far too many people.

The apostle Paul readily admitted that he was afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)(ESV).

William Barclay, renowned Bible scholar, translated the same passage as, We are pressed at every point, but not hemmed in; we are at our wit’s end, but never at hope’s end; we are persecuted by men, but never abandoned by God; we are knocked down, but not knocked out.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “I couldn’t say it better myself.”

Or maybe, “That’s me.”

Or, “Can it get any worse?”

The hard realities of life are often shockingly real, sometimes surreal. 

Some may have experienced their first Christmas alone this year due to a recent divorce. Others may be confronted with terrible, life-threatening illnesses. While the list is endless, God’s peace and power are not.

What if, now that you know you have come to the end of yourself, God has you in a place where he can reveal his strengthening power?

After all, do we expect God’s power to manifest itself in times of tranquility or in times of trouble?

Maybe now God has you at a place where you will be able to echo the words of the apostle Paul, But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)