Isaiah 41:4-14

“Who has performed and done this, Calling forth [and guiding the destinies of] the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD—the first, and with the last [existing before history began, the ever-present, unchanging God]—I am He.’ ” ¶The islands and coastlands have seen and they fear; The ends of the earth tremble; They have drawn near and have come. They each help his neighbor And say to his brother [as he fashions his idols], “Be of good courage!” So the craftsman encourages the goldsmith, And he who smooths metal with the smith’s hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering (welding), “That is good”; And he fastens the idol with nails, So that it will not totter nor be moved. “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The offspring of Abraham My friend, [Heb 2:16; James 2:23] You whom I [the LORD] have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you [even though you are exiled]. ‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ [Acts 18:10] “Indeed, all those who are angry with you will be put to shame and humiliated; Those who strive against you will be as nothing and will perish. “You shall search for those who quarrel with you, but will not find them; They who war against you will be as nothing, as nothing at all. “For I the LORD your God keep hold of your right hand; [I am the Lord], Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ “Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.