Fear Not, I Am With Thee: Mary Slessor and Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." - Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

Some fears are loud, and some sit quietly in the chest. Today's lesson comes from a young woman whose story is part of Nigerian history.

Mary Slessor grew up in Scotland and was working in a jute mill by about age 14, putting in long shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. In 1876 she sailed to the Calabar region of what is now Nigeria. She learned Efik, lived simply among the people, and later moved deeper inland to Okoyong, an area where male missionaries before her had been killed.

According to Wikipedia's account of her life, she became known for helping end the practice of abandoning twin babies, whom many then feared. She took in children left in the bush, and she raised one rescued girl, Janie, as her own. She also suffered repeated fevers from malaria for about four decades, yet she stayed. Her courage did not mean she felt no fear. It meant she kept walking while God stayed with her.

Lessons to carry:
- God's promise is presence first, then strength.
- Obedience often begins in places other people avoid.
- One person's faithfulness can protect many lives.

Prayer point: Lord, where I am afraid, let me hear You say "I am with thee."

Over to you: What is one fear you have had to walk through with God beside you? And what small step of courage is He asking of you this week? Share in the comments.

Sources: Wikipedia (Mary Slessor); Isaiah 41:10, KJV.
Photo: Mary Slessor, Wikimedia Commons (public domain)