BACKGROUND: Earlier in chapter 26, we read that Isaac and the Israelites were having more issues/conflicts with the Philistines, especially regarding the wells that Isaac's men were finding which the Philistines were always covering up (vv 18-22). Eventually, however, the Philistines stopped harassing the Israelites' efforts and Isaac was finally feeling confident that the Israelites will be fruitful in the land (v 22). It was in Beersheba where God spoke these words of comfort to Isaac in v 24.
COMMENTARY BY CHUCK SMITH from www.blueletterbible.org: "Fear not, for I am with thee". The presence of God in our lives should be sufficient to dispel all fears. We only get frightened when we forget that God is with us. If you get all filled with fear and just all shook and upset, it means one thing: you've forgotten that God is with you. "Fear not", God said, "for I am with thee". How many times had God made that the basis of dispelling fear? "Fear not, for I am with thee". Be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will help thee. I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will hold thee by the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). "The Lord is my helper" David cried "of whom shall I be afraid?" "Fear not, I am with thee", and for Abraham's sake I'm gonna bless thee.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: We have no reason to fear whatever comes into our lives because God is on our side! God's words, "FEAR NOT," should be uppermost in our minds every day of our lives. They are still God's promise to us today as they were to Isaac.
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